An outline of Pessoa’s evolving political positions in the tumultuous years
surrounding the publication of “Ultimatum” will help to situate the manifesto’s
staunchly anti-democratic politics. A summary of the manifesto’s structure and
themes, a brief comparison with similar texts, and a sketch of Pessoa’s messianic
nationalism will further elucidate this challenging text. Finally, a new translation
of “Ultimatum”, provided in an annex, will make this key text in European avantgarde
and modernism studies available to a wider audience.