Portuguese language and literature in Rennaissance: the influence of Erasmus

Rennaissance in Portugal is characterized by a very close connection with European humanists and the new ideas about religion and daily practices. In this debate, Portuguese humanists reflected upon the thoughts of major authors like Erasmus. So, language and literature became not only a return to the classics, but also a domain for discussion regarding Christianity and the approaches that came from abroad. However, Portugal received these ideas until the Inquisition arrived. After that, humanists became more carefull and avoided the ideas of Erasmus. The case of the Portuguese humanist Pedro Sanches shows us all this: the classic influence, the sympathy for Erasmus and the slow departure to other themes, less dangerous and more focused on language and literature.