Medieval Spanish Literature: Poetry, Narrative, and Prose
Medieval Spanish Literature
Poetry of Goliardo
Goliards were university students who traveled between schools, knowledgeable in Latin, and sought financial support to lead enjoyable lives. Their poetry, composed from the 11th to the 13th centuries, was learned yet lighthearted and witty. Intended for a select audience, these poems explored themes of love, criticism, and tavern life. Carmina Burana exemplifies this type of poetry.
Andalusian Poetry
Influenced by Arabic traditions, Andalusian poetry flourished
Read MoreLiterature: Genres, Functions, and Analysis
Literature: An Overview
What is Literature?
Literature is a complex phenomenon encompassing various text types, including poems, letters, and stories. It involves artistic manipulation of language to create aesthetic and emotional effects. Two key elements define literature:
- Creation of a fictional world
- Use of specific language to evoke emotions
Literature imitates a world imagined by the writer, not necessarily the real world. The language is used aesthetically, aiming to create impressions and emotions
Read MoreRoman Literary Theory: Rhetoric, Poetics, and the Sublime
Roman Literary Theory
Rhetorical and Poetic Synthesis
The main feature of Roman literary theory, primarily represented by Cicero and Horace, is the synthesis of rhetoric and poetics, as highlighted by A. Fontan in their article, Cicero and Horace, Literary Critics. This theory arose in response to a growing trend in literary practice where the distinction between rhetoric and poetics was becoming blurred.
Elocutio and the Restriction of Rhetoric
Poets began to prioritize elocutio (style and expression)
Read MoreExemplary Novels of Cervantes, Lope, Zayas, and Tirso
Exemplary Novels: Cervantes, Lope, Zayas, and Tirso
Cervantes’ Exemplary Novels
In the prologue, Cervantes clarifies that these novels do not depict impure acts, but rather exemplify good manners and offer entertainment. He also discusses his classical influences and the originality of his work, emphasizing that it is not translated or borrowed. Cervantes incorporates elements from other genres, such as the picaresque, though not fully embracing the picaresta model. Examples include Rinconete y Cortadillo
Read MoreRenaissance Literature: Imitation, Language, and the Rise of Vernacular
The Poet: Imitator and Illuminated
The Renaissance understanding of the poet intertwined two concepts: the poet as imitator and the poet as divinely inspired, a notion nurtured within Neoplatonic circles. This dual nature connected to the debate surrounding poetry’s relationship with truth. These ideas, gaining traction in the latter half of the 16th century, echoed Plato’s suspicion of poets as detrimental to society and Christianity’s similar wariness. However, a counter-argument emerged, suggesting
Read MoreNarrative Worlds in Literature: A Comprehensive Overview
Narrative Worlds in Literature
1. Types of Narrative Worlds Based on Representation
1.1. The Everyday World
These stories depict reality as closely as possible, characterized by objective and detailed descriptions of objects, landscapes, events, and character actions. The represented world focuses on regional and indigenous aspects, often portraying a “box of habits.” In Chile, these stories were abundant from the mid-nineteenth century until the last third of the twentieth century, closely linked
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