ABSTRACT
Humour in Brazilian popular poetry takes many forms. The oldest of them are the stories of cunning rogues who use trickery to overcome poverty and oppression. Their intelligence compensates for their physical weakness. Such poems are directly linked to the picaresque tradition of sixteenth century Iberian literature. A number of these sharp-witted Brazilian plcaros, such as Joao Grilo and Malazarte, have become the subjects of numerous folhetos. Through their triumphs over the rich and powerful the poor gain revenge for the many abuses they have suffered. The deception the plcaro employs is seen as justified given that the poor have few other means at their disposal to defend their dignity.
