Medieval Spanish Literature: Epic Poems, Lyrics, and Courtly Love
Early Medieval Literature
Arabic Influences and New Poetic Forms
Early medieval Spanish literature shows the influence of Arabic poetry, particularly in the classical qasida form. New popular poetic forms emerged in Al-Andalus, such as the zejel and muwassaha, which celebrated life and love. These songs, often accompanied by musical instruments, were popular among the nobility, bringing a sense of vigor and spontaneity to the more formal classical poetry.
First Signs of Romance Literature: The Jarchas
The jarcha, a short composition lamenting the absence or abandonment of a beloved, represents an early form of Romance literature. Written in Mozarabic, these poems offer a glimpse into the emotions of love and loss.
Epic Poems
Epic poems are historical narratives in verse that extol the exploits of a hero within the context of a chivalric feudal society. These poems served as literary art, political propaganda, and public entertainment. Spanish epic poems are often grouped into three cycles: the Counts of Castile, the Cid, and Charlemagne.
The Poem of the Cid
Structure
The Poem of the Cid, a pivotal work of the Castilian medieval epic, focuses on Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar. The poem is divided into three sections: the Song of Exile, the Song of Cortes, and the Song of the Wedding of the Cid’s Daughters.
Plot
The poem has two main storylines. The first follows the Cid’s exile by King Alfonso VI, his conquest of Valencia, the recovery of his honor, and his eventual reconciliation with the king. The second storyline centers on the marriages of the Cid’s daughters, the offering of tribute, and the Cid’s ultimate glorification.
Meter
The Poem of the Cid follows the metrical scheme of minstrelsy, with irregular verses of 14 to 16 syllables, divided into hemistichs, and using assonance.
Language and Style
The poem is characterized by a scarcity of adjectives, dynamic verbs, juxtapositions, prevalent sentential coordination, oral lexicon, expressions of gratitude, and improvisational elements.
Themes
Key themes include unjust exile, the ideal soldier, loyalty, the pursuit of wealth, honor, fame, envy, revenge, and, above all, the recovery of lost honor.
Characters
Characters are often grouped into opposing camps: those who fear the Cid, noble enemies, adversaries, etc. Important characters are typically treated individually, with some exceptions like the Cid’s children or Raquel and Vidas, who are presented as pairs. The Cid, belonging to the lower nobility, demonstrates exceptional character, surpassing higher-ranking nobles. His fame rests on his virtues and heroic behavior, which sparks envy and leads to his exile. The Cid is also portrayed as a loving and sensitive family man, devoted to his wife and daughters.
Courtly Love
Love in the Chivalric Ideal
The new concept of love that emerged with the chivalric ideal, while not entirely platonic, retained a sensual element. This love was often unrequited.
Galician-Portuguese Lyric Poetry
Preserved in manuscripts and songbooks, Galician-Portuguese lyric poetry includes three main types: love songs expressing courtly love from a male perspective; satirical songs of scorn and mockery; and cantigas de amigo, love poems or laments voiced by women, rooted in popular tradition and simpler in style. These poems also incorporate elements from Provençal lyric poetry and often feature parallelistic structures.
Songbooks
Songbooks are collections of songs and poems by various authors, often sharing thematic or stylistic characteristics.
Dolce Stil Novo
The Dolce Stil Novo (Sweet New Style) was a poetic school that emerged in the late 13th century among Tuscan poets. Dante’s Purgatorio (1314) mentions the birth of this new style.