Pedro Urdemales
Trickster figure from Spanish and Latin American folklore.
Pedro Urdemales (Spanish for "Peter Evil-schemer") is a folkloric figure from Spain and Latin America—especially Chile, Mexico, and Guatemala—who embodies the rogue or trickster. In Portuguese-speaking cultures, such as Brazil and Portugal, he is called Pedro Malasartes ("Peter Bad-arts").
The character's roots go back to medieval Spanish legends. The earliest known reference appears in a late-12th-century Aragonese document, which mentions a figure named Pedro de Urdemalas (Aragonese for "Peter of Bad-things-schemer"). This trickster is also a staple of Iberian and Latin American tradition.
The first literary mention occurs in *Libro del paso honroso* by Suero de Quiñones, likely written around 1440. Soon after, the character appears in theatrical works, becoming a prototype ruffian in various *entremeses* (interludes). He shows up in pieces by Juan del Encina, Lucas Fernández, Lope de Rueda, and Juan de Timoneda. Miguel de Cervantes, author of *Don Quixote*, wrote a full-length verse comedy titled *Pedro de Urdemalas*. Published in 1615 as part of *Ocho comedias y ocho entremeses*, it is available online and has been translated into English several times, though it has rarely been staged.
- Field
- Folklore
- Nationality
- Spanish and Latin American
- Known for
- Trickster figure in Iberian and Latin American tradition
- First literary mention
- 1440 in Libro del paso honroso by Suero de Quiñones
Lore & Background
Pedro Urdemales first appears in documented form in the late 12th century, in an Aragonese paper. The first literary mention is in the book Libro del paso honroso, by Suero de Quiñones, possibly written in 1440. Shortly after, new references appear in theatrical authors, where he becomes a prototype of a ruffian in several entremeses (interludes). Thus, Pedro de Urdemales takes part in works of Juan del Encina, Lucas Fernández, Lope de Rueda and Juan de Timoneda.
Reader's Guide
Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, wrote a full-length comedy in verse based on the character, entitled Pedro de Urdemalas. In 1615, it was published in the collection Ocho comedias y ocho entremeses ('Eight Plays and Eight Interludes'), and can be read online, and has been translated into English several times. It has, however, rarely been produced. The character is also considered a trickster figure in Iberian and Latin American tradition, and is known in Brazil, Portugal and lusophone culture as Pedro Malasartes. Similar figures include Till Eulenspiegel from German folklore and Coyote from mythology.
Did You Know?
- The oldest documented reference to Pedro Urdemales is from the late 12th century in an Aragonese paper.
- In Brazil and Portugal, the character is known as Pedro Malasartes.
- The first literary mention is in Libro del paso honroso, possibly written in 1440.
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