Entre fatos e forma

a verdade estética e a verdade histórica em Salammbô

Abstract

The dichotomy between historical truth and aesthetic truth is a central theme in the analysis of historical material. Aristotle, in his Poetics, asserts that the historian is distinct from the poet by the veracity of the events narrated, while the poet explores what could have happened. In contrast, Certeau (2015) argues that the writing of history is a form of interpretative art, where the historian weaves a narrative that reflects their understanding and interpretation of events. From this perspective, the present work examines how Flaubert, in Salammbô, navigates this tension between historical truth and aesthetic truth. The results suggest that, despite employing a literary aesthetic rich in vivid descriptions, Flaubert maintains a keen historical insight, offering a representation that not only recounts past events but also interprets them critically. Through the analysis of the ideas of Lukács (2011), Carpeaux (2008), and Burke (1969), the study also highlights how the French author uses historical material to transcend mere fact reconstruction, achieving an aesthetic truth that reflects the complexities and nuances of history. Thus, Salammbô presents itself not only as a historical novel but as a reflection on the very nature of history and truth.