Travelling and the interior journey: incursions to the topic, from María de Zayas (17th century) to Elizabeth Gilbert (21st century)

Abstract

Travelling as a method of obtaining knowledge of the world and self-knowledge is present in literature and in Western culture since Homer’s epic verses. The example of Ulysses, a model of a wise man, was from time to time updated by the Arts and by different currents of thought. This paper proposes a reflection on the theme from the approach to philosophical, political and religious principles in the 16th and 17th Century Spain, as well as from the literary works of female authors who present through their main female characters, or in an autobiographical way, experiences related to travelling as a means to make an inner journey of self-discovery. We will observe how the precepts of neo-stoic philosophy that guided the rules of conduct of the Spanish nobility in the above-mentioned period, were mimicked by the Belles-Lettres. Starting from one of the short-stories by María de Zayas (1637), we will point out in works from different times the repeated updating of the dialog between literature produced by women and the classic philosophical propositions that teach how to achieve self-knowledge and wisdom.