Sebastianismo e Quinto Império: o nacionalismo pessoano à luz de um novo corpus

Abstract

Based on the materials made available in the recently edited book Sebastianismo e Quinto Império (Ática, 2011), this article proposes a reading of Pessoa’s texts concerning the selfproclaimed «mystical nationalism» of the author of Mensagem. The study of the archive at the Portuguese National Library and of the Private Library of the poet located in Casa Fernando Pessoa allows for new approaches on this subject, frequently considered as marginal. The topic is seen as integrated in the central issues of Pessoa’s works, namely the phenomenon of a proliferation of writing through fictional authors. Through a new organization of the texts that takes into account their material characteristics, the article presents a comment on Pessoa’s progressive approach of the myth of national identity. This approach shows parallels with other types of writing in Pessoa’s works, referring even if not necessarily to an absolute unity at least to common features that would allow better understanding of different facets often regarded as incompatible.