What was Gongorism and how did it influence Portuguese Baroque poetry?

Gongorism, or gongorismo, is a literary style named after the Spanish poet Luis de Góngora y Argote. It is characterized by a highly ornate, esoteric, and Latinate style that employs studied obscurity and complex literary devices. Often associated with culteranismo, the style favors the construction of literary enigmas, puzzles, labyrinths, and intricate visual designs.123

In the context of 17th-century Portuguese Baroque poetry, Gongorism became deeply pervasive as the national spirit waned following Portugal’s political eclipse and loss of independence to Spain. Its influence is clearly documented in the anthology Fénix renascida (1716–28), which demonstrates how deeply the style penetrated Portuguese verse.2

The movement encouraged a trend toward cabalistic and occult exercises, with most lyricists of the period remaining steeped in these formalist conventions. While some figures, such as Francisco Manuel de Melo, attempted to move away from subservience to Spanish styles, they often found it difficult to break free from the influence of Gongorism in their poetry.2