Literature, like all art, is proof that life is not enough.
F. Pessoa
Law and its Relationship with Literature
Law is often perceived as complex, abstract, and distant. Kafka portrayed it as an almost absurd system, full of incomprehensible rules and complicated terms. However, in practice, law is deeply rooted in our daily lives. It is not an external imposition, but an essential part of society. In fact, there is no society without law, as it establishes the rights and duties that enable coexistence.
Literature, by reflecting society, also captures the legal institutions on which it is based. Since its inception, it has shown different aspects of law, such as civil law, which regulates relations between individuals. Thus, great literary works contain, implicitly or explicitly, the legal frameworks that influence the characters and their actions.
Law in Great Literary Works
Rather than analyzing specific legal cases in literature, the aim is to recognize how legal institutions appear as part of the development of characters and plots. For example, in the classic comedies of Shakespeare or the Spanish Golden Age, family law, filiation law, and inheritance are key elements. These legal aspects enable or prevent the outcome of many stories.
Literature, whether realistic, fantastical, or naturalistic, has witnessed the development of legal institutions over time. Writing not only preserves these stories, but each new reading offers a different interpretation of the legal norms and principles represented.
Legal Reflection in World Literature
Throughout history, literature has reflected both the successes and failures of law. Works such as Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies explore how social and legal norms are created or disappear when characters are outside the context of civilization.
In other stories, such as George Orwell’s Animal Farm and Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels, law and justice are a direct criticism of the society of the time. These stories show how legal systems can evolve, be manipulated, or even lead to abuse of power.
The Importance of Law in Society and Literature
Law is essential for human coexistence, even in seemingly rule-free scenarios, such as literary utopias or dystopias. Literature is, ultimately, a reflection of life in society, and law, with all its imperfections, is always present in it.
As Alfonso X said, “teachers of law should be given special honors.” Law not only regulates, but also promotes or limits the development of society, and this reality has been reflected in great works of literature.
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