Gregório de Matos

author

Gregório de Matos

b. 1636

A sharp, fearless voice of Brazil’s Baroque era, this 17th-century poet became famous for verse that could be lyrical, devotional, or biting without warning. His bold satire earned him the nickname "Boca do Inferno," or "Hell’s Mouth."

1 Audiobook

Obras poeticas de Gregorio de Mattos Guerra - Tomo I : precedidas de vida do poeta pelo licenceado Manuel Pereira Rebello

Obras poeticas de Gregorio de Mattos Guerra - Tomo I : precedidas de vida do poeta pelo licenceado Manuel Pereira Rebello

by Gregório de Matos

About the author

Born in Salvador, Bahia, in 1636, Gregório de Matos e Guerra is remembered as one of the most striking figures in early Brazilian literature. He studied with the Jesuits and later went to the University of Coimbra in Portugal to study law, moving between literary life and public service before returning to Brazil.

He wrote religious, lyrical, and love poetry, but he is best known for his satirical poems. Those verses attacked corruption, hypocrisy, and social pretension so directly that they gave him a lasting reputation for wit and danger.

Much of his work circulated in manuscript rather than in printed books during his lifetime, which helped build his legend. Today he is widely seen as a central voice of Brazilian Baroque writing and as a poet whose language still feels vivid, irreverent, and alive.