Rank the various masters who employed the cunning pícaresque hero Lazarillo throughout his adventures in 16th-century Spain. From the miserly blind beggar who first taught him survival through deception, to the impoverished yet prideful squire, each master shaped Lazarillo's journey from innocence to worldly wisdom. This ranking explores which employers were most memorable, cruel, generous, or influential in the young boy's education in the harsh realities of Golden Age Spanish society. Compare the hypocritical pardoner, the struggling priest of Maqueda, and other colorful characters who defined this cornerstone of Spanish literature. Which master left the greatest impact on our roguish protagonist's development?
