“Titília and the Demonão – The Untold Story: Love Life in the Imperial Court: Messages from D. Pedro I to the Marquise of Santos” is a work that delves into the historical intricacies and the most intimate and secretive aspects of the relationship between the Emperor of Brazil, D. Pedro I, and the Marquise of Santos, Domitila de Castro.
Dom Pedro I, the first monarch of the Empire of Brazil, was born in Lisbon in 1798 as the fourth child of King Dom João VI and Queen Carlota Joaquina. When French troops invaded Portugal, the royal family fled to Brazil in 1808. Dom Pedro I became the prince regent of Brazil and faced challenges, including threats from revolutionaries and insubordinate Portuguese troops. With the Liberal Revolution of Porto in 1820, Dom João VI returned to Portugal in 1821, leaving Dom Pedro as the regent of Brazil. Faced with Portugal’s attempt to revoke Brazil’s political autonomy, Dom Pedro I proclaimed Brazil’s independence on September 7, 1822. He died in Lisbon in 1834.
Machado de Assis was one of the most renowned and influential Brazilian writers. Born on June 21, 1839, in Rio de Janeiro, he is considered one of the greatest masters of Portuguese-language literature. His works span various genres, including novels, short stories, poems, chronicles, and plays.
Throughout his life, Machado de Assis witnessed significant transformations in Brazil, from the end of the Empire to the Republic, and his work reflects this transition. His writings are marked by a profound psychological analysis of the characters and insightful social criticism, as well as a unique literary style characterized by irony and subtlety.
Following Brazil’s declaration of independence, the country was focused on creating its first constitution. In 1823, one year after the separation from the Kingdom of Portugal, a constituent assembly was formed, but it had a highly interventionist nature and envisaged significant state involvement, contrary to the ideals of Dom Pedro I. For this reason, the emperor dissolved the constituent assembly and personally issued a new constitution, promulgated on March 25, 1824.
On November 24, 1891, Pedro II made an entry in his diary, stating, “Deodoro has been concluded,” referring to the news of the resignation of the man who helped orchestrate the coup for the republic in Brazil. Following this entry, Pedro II embarked on a lengthy carriage ride along the Seine River, despite the day’s significantly low temperature. Upon returning to Hotel Bedford, where Dom Pedro II was staying, he began to feel chilled during the evening, and in the subsequent days, his illness progressed into pneumonia, deteriorating his condition rapidly.
The War of Paraguay began in December 1864, and it is considered the largest conflict ever to occur in South America to this day. At the time the war started, the Count d’Eu was in Europe and openly expressed his desire to participate in the conflict to Emperor Dom Pedro II. It was expected that upon his return to Brazil, he would immediately head to the front lines, as the emperor himself had appointed him as a general of the Brazilian army.
