14th Century Spanish Literature: Hita & Don Juan Manuel
Mester de Clerecía and 14th-Century Innovations
The Mester de Clerecía (Ministry of Clergy) signifies a shift. The issues addressed are no longer exclusively scholarly, i.e., derived solely from books, but also originate from life experiences. Another major innovation in 14th-century literature is the birth of narrative prose authored by figures like Don Juan Manuel, known for El Conde Lucanor (Count Lucanor).
Hita: Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita
Juan Ruiz, the Archpriest of Hita (in Guadalajara), lived in the first half of the 14th century. His personality is evident in his work, the Book of Good Love.
The Book of Good Love rejects the medieval vision of the world as a “vale of tears.” Its main theme is love.
The book presents a ‘good love’ story in an autobiographical form: a priest character narrates his amorous adventures in the first person. These adventures are interspersed with other very diverse elements, such as:
- Stories that include a practical teaching.
- Satirical texts, like critiques of the power of money.
- Religious and secular lyrical compositions.
- Allegorical stories with starring characters.
In the foreword, Hita states that the purpose of his work is didactic; he wrote it to distract people from mad love, which leads to sin. The key to the work lies in the Archpriest’s irony and vitality.
Count Lucanor: Don Juan Manuel
Don Juan Manuel (1282-1348), the author of El Conde Lucanor, was the grandson of Saint Ferdinand and nephew of Alfonso X the Wise, from whom he inherited a taste for letters. Besides El Conde Lucanor, he wrote other books, most notably Libro de los Estados (The Book of States).
Knowledge of customs is illustrated through stories of Arab culture. Don Juan Manuel is concerned that his teachings are easily assimilated. Therefore, it can be said that this book has a didactic purpose.
Structure of the Stories in *El Conde Lucanor*
- The Count poses a question to his advisor, Patronio, about a problem of everyday life.
- Patronio answers and, to help him understand better, tells a story from which Patronio himself extracts a teaching.
- The Count says he liked the story very much and intends to follow its advice.
Mester de Clerecía and 14th-Century Innovations
The Mester de Clerecía (Ministry of Clergy) signifies a shift. The issues addressed are no longer exclusively scholarly, i.e., derived solely from books, but also originate from life experiences. Another major innovation in 14th-century literature is the birth of narrative prose authored by figures like Don Juan Manuel, known for El Conde Lucanor (Count Lucanor).
Hita: Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita
Juan Ruiz, the Archpriest of Hita (in Guadalajara), lived in the first half of the 14th century. His personality is evident in his work, the Book of Good Love.
The Book of Good Love rejects the medieval vision of the world as a “vale of tears.” Its main theme is love.
The book presents a ‘good love’ story in an autobiographical form: a priest character narrates his amorous adventures in the first person. These adventures are interspersed with other very diverse elements, such as:
- Stories that include a practical teaching.
- Satirical texts, like critiques of the power of money.
- Religious and secular lyrical compositions.
- Allegorical stories with starring characters.
In the foreword, Hita states that the purpose of his work is didactic; he wrote it to distract people from mad love, which leads to sin. The key to the work lies in the Archpriest’s irony and vitality.
Count Lucanor: Don Juan Manuel
Don Juan Manuel (1282-1348), the author of El Conde Lucanor, was the grandson of Saint Ferdinand and nephew of Alfonso X the Wise, from whom he inherited a taste for letters. Besides El Conde Lucanor, he wrote other books, most notably Libro de los Estados (The Book of States).
Knowledge of customs is illustrated through stories of Arab culture. Don Juan Manuel is concerned that his teachings are easily assimilated. Therefore, it can be said that this book has a didactic purpose.
Structure of the Stories in *El Conde Lucanor*
- The Count poses a question to his advisor, Patronio, about a problem of everyday life.
- Patronio answers and, to help him understand better, tells a story from which Patronio himself extracts a teaching.
- The Count says he liked the story very much and intends to follow its advice.