Catalan Literature’s Golden Age: The 15th Century Renaissance
The Culmination of Medieval Catalan Literature (15th Century)
The fifteenth century marked the culmination of Medieval Catalan literature, producing some of the most important Catalan works.
Literary Modernization and Context
This era saw significant modernization driven by two factors:
- The introduction of culture into the home.
- The increase in readership thanks to the spread of printing.
Poetry in the 15th Century
In poetry, the traditional model of the troubadour lyric poets declined, leading to the consolidation of new forms written in Catalan, moving away from the Occitan tradition.
Prose and the Modern Novel
In prose, the novel of chivalry developed significantly, considered the cornerstone of the modern novel.
Ausias March and the Profound Renewal of Poetry
A profound renewal of Catalan poetry occurred with the arrival of Ausias March (1397–1459). In his poems, he decisively breaks with the troubadour tradition, examining his most intimate feelings and contradictions in depth.
- Concept of Man: March understands the human being as a combination of body and spirit, seeking perfection through spiritual love.
- View of Women: Contrary to widespread beliefs in the Middle Ages, March argues that women possess souls and are capable of understanding and sharing the poet’s aspirations.
- Style: His style is realistic, characterized by strong, hyperbolic comparisons and metaphors used to express the pain inherent in the feeling of love.
The Chivalric Novel: Joanot Martorell
The most famous example of the chivalric novel is Tirant lo Blanc (published 1490).
Its author, Joanot Martorell (born in Gandia between 1413 and 1415), belonged to the minor Valencian nobility. His extensive knowledge of military life heavily influenced the drafting of Tirant lo Blanc.
Historical Context: The Middle Ages (5th to 15th Centuries)
The Middle Ages was a vast historical period spanning from the 5th to the 15th centuries. In the Catalan territories, the Catalan counties consolidated, initiating a process that eventually led to independence from French power.
Key Characteristics of the Medieval Era
The Middle Ages was a time of great religiosity. Religion was pervasive and became the primary source of inspiration for art.
- Society: Structured classes were legally unequal social groups: the nobility, the clergy, and the peasantry.
- Language: This period saw the birth and development of the Romance languages, including Catalan.
The Development of the Catalan Language
- 7th–8th Centuries: The first transformation of Vulgar Latin spoken in the region into Catalan.
- 12th Century: The first texts written entirely in Catalan appeared, such as the Llibre dels Jutges (Visigothic Law) and the Homilies d’Organyà (Sermons).
- 13th Century: The vernacular language (Catalan) began to occupy domains previously reserved for Latin.
General Features of Medieval Literature
Medieval literature possessed several defining characteristics:
- Folk Poetry: Songs sung by people at parties, celebrations, or to accompany daily activities (entirely oral).
- Oral Transmission: Literature was primarily transmitted orally (for those who could not read or write) through songs or the recitation of minstrels. This explains why few written records survive.
- Anonymous Character: Medieval writers often left no clear evidence of their role as creators, resulting in many anonymous works.
- Didactic Intention: Literature served to teach life behaviors, transmit Christian values, or present episodes of warfare.
Genres of Medieval Catalan Literature
The main genres included:
- Poetry: Folk poetry and Troubadour (courtly) poetry.
- Prose: Developed entirely in Catalan starting in the 12th century.
Evolution of Narrative Prose
Narrative prose evolved significantly from fantastic tales to realistic novels:
Fantastic Romances (S. XII)
Unbelievable stories set in exotic or imaginary landscapes, lacking specific temporal or spatial references. They are full of fantastic elements and characters (e.g., King Arthur, Knights of the Round Table, the magician Merlin, the witch Morgana).
Chivalric Novels (S. XIV)
These novels adopted a more realistic approach, eliminating fantastic elements. They featured plausible gentlemen, contemporary and recognizable geography, and reflected a new form of bourgeois life (e.g., Tirant lo Blanc).