Dias Gomes Pantagruélico: diálogos e saramandices entre Gargântua e Pantagruel, o Berço do Herói, Saramandaia e Sucupira ame-a ou deixe-a

Abstract

This paper is an outcome of the comparison between the works "Gargantua and Pantagruel" (2009), written by François Rabelais in the transition from the Middle Ages to Renaissance, and the works "Sucupira, ame-a ou deixe-a: venturas e desventuras de Zeca Diabo e sua gente na terra de Odorico, o bem amado" (1982), O berço do herói (1990) and Saramandaia (1976-2013), written by twentieth century Brazilian writer and playwright Dias Gomes. The dialog proposed from style and a comic vision of the world guided a comparative analysis of the esthetic projections in the works. A reflection about the esthetics of grotesque realism, the creature-esque, its variations and about the cultural aspect of Rabelais-ish, mocking and witty kind of humor established the dialogue with Dias Gomes' current-day productions, starting from the themes, situations, characters and images that translate the popular comic culture. Dias Gomes approached and re-signified -- in his comic and satirical works -- subjects and style aspects found in Gargantua and Pantagruel. Studies point out to these writers' interest in interfering with the readers' worldview and in generating or boosting reflections that walk the opposite way of the hegemonic powers and the official political and religious regime -- not to mention the rules of aesthetics. Farce and the mocking and witty humor, as well as the creature-centered realism, the low body material, everyday talk topics and language used in the family are phenomena that bring characters, themes and situations narrated by the Brazilian playwright closer to the works of Rabelais. The style of Rabelais echoes in the productions of Dias Gomes.