Spanish Literature: Renaissance to Golden Age Authors
Spanish Poets of the Renaissance
Spanish poets achieved a more formal perfection, a major influence along these lines during the 16th century. Their works remained unpublished during their lifetime. In 1543 in Barcelona, Juan Boscán’s widow edited the works of both friends. Some of Boscán’s poetry is plain. Traditional Castilian poetry includes eight songs, and Italianate poetry includes five *canciones*, four sonnets, three eclogues, two elegies, and one epistle.
Garcilaso de la Vega: Features
- Latin influence
- Renaissance themes and forms
- *Lenguaje poético*
- *Tópicos*
The Eclogues
The Eclogues are *Bucolic* poems (compositions in which two or more pastors express their grievances in an idealized, nature-loving setting). Two are far from the perfection of the other.
The first eclogue features Salicio and Nemoroso, who regret Galatea’s infidelity and Elisa’s death. The fusion between the feeling of nature and the pastoral environment makes this poem one of his most accomplished and famous compositions.
The third eclogue features the banks of 34 nymphs who embroidered fabrics that evoke a blow to so many other tragedies of love. Three are classical myths, and one is a new love to which the poet rises. Garcilaso also uses this myth to recreate the well-known pastoral nature, the *locus amoenus*, in these verses.
Sonnets
The sonnet is a structure in which the contents are organized into related blocks. Garcilaso’s creations usually adapt to the lines and blocks of thought to the stanzas of the sonnet. Classicism is evident in this sample.
Songs
Three were written during exile in the Danube (*locus amoenus*). The fifth is an ode to the flower of Knidos. It departs from the previous ones due to its metric and its content (lira). It seeks to convince a lady in Naples.
Lazarillo de Tormes
In 1554, this anonymous work appeared in different places. The author may have hidden his name for fear of possible problems arising from the criticism, as the work was considered anticlerical. The prologue has seven sections of unequal extension and is very autobiographical. The work presents a structural unit. Episodes focus on deception. It has a religious motive and reflects the theme of honor. Realism begins here.
This is considered the first picaresque work.
Fray Luis de León
Fray Luis de León’s poems are heirs of the Renaissance and utilize Italianate stanzas (lira 11 and 7) and classic tags. He has a careful style and language.
Original Poetry
His original poetry is small (30 compositions). He did not write any books of the Bible in prose, only translations.
Themes and Resources
- Medieval courtly love
- Petrarchism
- Classical themes and resources
- Similes
- Allegorical myths
- Expression of sentiment
- Sadness
- Jealousy
- Loneliness
- Polished language filled with clear images
- Poetic figures: paradoxes, alliterations, antithesis
- Laura
- 11 sonnets
- Silva
- Metric forms: stanzas, ballads, odes
Miguel de Cervantes: Don Quixote
Part one was a continuation in 1605. In 1614, Alonso Fernández de Avellaneda wrote the second part. Cervantes’ second part of *Don Quixote* contests Avellaneda’s attacks.
The first part has two *saldas*. The second part has a third exit and a return to his home.
Cervantes intended to ridicule the romances of chivalry.
Don Quixote and Sancho are complementary.
Features of the Novel
- Great complexity
- Different styles and mastery of expression
- Great mastery in the narrative and the use of resources
Don Quixote, as a knight, has ridiculous speech as seen by the readers. When he expounds his approach, he speaks in a polished and well-built manner. Sancho is not vulgar; he uses proverbs. The dialogues between the two possess transcendental importance.
Other Works by Cervantes
- Poetry: Not well-known
- Theater: Appetizers
- Novels:
- La Galatea (6 books)
- Exemplary Novels (12 novels)
- The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda (Byzantine novel)