Characteristics Of Picaresque Novel

The Spanish word picaro occurred during 16th and 17th century which has been introduced by the Spanish writer. The term picaro basically means rogue or adventurer and it is specifically refers to a hero of the picaresque novel. The main character of the novel appears to be a man who thirsts for an adventure. Picaro was used particularly for a man or boy while for woman or girl they are called as picara. Despite being a hero in a story, the picaro acts as rascal, trickster and rogue rather than being an exemplar hero for a reader. The main characters of the picaresque novel usually use their intelligence in order to survive, rather than doing an honorable work.

Meanwhile, picaresque is a genre of a novel which was first emerged in Spain. The first picaresque novel occurred was Lazarillo de Tormes published in 1554. This genre shows the beginning of the modern realism. Picaresque novel is basically portrayed part of picaro’s life which told about the adventures of the hero of a low social class who depend on their wits in order to survive. Commonly, picaresque novel has been described in a series of humorous and satiric episode which often depict the detail of common people daily life. The plot of the novel often showed a realisticity and thrilling events which occurred during the adventure of the picaro.

The main character who acts as a picaro in Maqamat Al-Hamadhani is Abu’l Fath al-Iskanderi. He portrayed his tricky behavior in the Maqama of Mosul where Al-Iskanderi