Criticón

Criticón is a philosophical novel written by Baltasar Gracián, a Spanish Jesuit priest and writer, first published in 1651. The work, which is allegorical in nature, follows the journey of Critilo, a man representing reason, and Andrenio, a man representing the senses, as they navigate the world and learn about life. Their adventures take them through various allegorical landscapes and encounters that serve as commentaries on human nature, society, and the pursuit of happiness.

The novel is divided into three parts, each representing a stage of human life: infancy, youth, and old age. Through the contrasting personalities and experiences of Critilo and Andrenio, Gracián explores themes of virtue, vice, illusion, and reality. The narrative is rich with aphorisms and pithy observations, reflecting Gracián's characteristic style of concise and insightful prose. Criticón is considered a masterpiece of Spanish Golden Age literature and a significant work of Baroque philosophy, offering a complex and often pessimistic view of the human condition while also hinting at the possibility of salvation through wisdom and self-awareness. Its allegorical structure and moralistic tone have made it a subject of study and interpretation for centuries.