Spanish Literature: From Medieval to Renaissance
Spanish Literature: From Medieval to Renaissance
Narrative Genres
This section explores various narrative genres prevalent in Spanish literature, including:
- Romance: Short stories in verse, typically with eight syllables and assonance in rhyming pairs. Examples include romances del Cid and stories of Roland.
- Fable: Short stories, in prose or verse, with a moral or ideological purpose. Often features a conflict between two characters (animal or inanimate) highlighting vices. Examples include the Book of Good Love and fables by Iriarte and Samaniego.
- Novel: Extensive prose narratives with diverse and complex characters and settings. Examples include Lazarillo de Tormes, Don Quixote, and works by Galdós, Clarín, and García Márquez.
Levels of Narrative Analysis
Narrative analysis involves examining two key levels:
- History: The sequence of actions, characters, time, and space within the story.
- Discourse: How the story is told, including narrative voice, perspective, and temporal distortions like flashbacks or flash-forwards.
Drama
Drama encompasses texts intended for theatrical representation. Key characteristics include:
- Story development through dialogue and actions.
- Emphasis on verbal communication.
- Collective experience involving actors and audience.
Dramatic texts consist of a main text (dialogue, monologues, asides) and a secondary text (stage directions).
Social Structure – Middle Ages
Medieval Christian societies were organized into hierarchical kingdoms. Key social groups included:
- Nobility: The dominant group with privileges, including ricoshombres, infanzones, and men of arms.
- Clergy: Responsible for religious administration and possessing significant influence.
- Bourgeoisie: Artisans and merchants inhabiting towns.
- Peasantry: Cultivators of land with limited privileges.
- Marginalized: Groups like the poor, infirm, and widows.
Mester of the Clergy
Emerging in the 13th century, the Mester of the Clergy produced narrative works with religious or heroic themes, often with a didactic purpose. Authors like Gonzalo de Berceo wrote hagiographies, Marian works, and doctrinal pieces.
The Renaissance
The Renaissance, flourishing in Italy and spreading across Europe, reached Spain during the reigns of Charles I and Philip II. This period saw political stability, economic prosperity, and Spain’s rise as a global power.
Reformation and Counter-Reformation
The 16th century witnessed the Protestant Reformation, led by Martin Luther, which challenged Catholic doctrines. The Catholic Church responded with the Counter-Reformation, emphasizing internal renewal and establishing measures like the Council of Trent and the Index of Forbidden Books.
Humanism and Renaissance in Spain
Humanism flourished in Spain, with figures like Cardinal Cisneros promoting scholarship and the study of classical texts. The Spanish language gained prominence, with works like Nebrija’s grammar and Juan de Valdés’ Dialogue of the Tongue.
The Renaissance Lyrics
Italian poets like Petrarch influenced Spanish lyric poetry. Juan Boscan and Garcilaso de la Vega introduced Italian forms like sonnets, liras, and octaves, enriching Spanish poetry with new rhythms and styles.