13th & 14th Century Prose in Romance Languages
13th-Century Prose
Prose in the Romance language developed from the second half of the thirteenth century. The texts are often translations of the Bible, with the purpose of teaching men to live virtuously.
Alfonso X the Wise
Alfonso X, son of Fernando III, inherited the throne of Castile and Leon in 1252. He exerted an important cultural influence. His strong national consciousness led him to write all official documents in Castilian. He promoted the work done by the Toledo School of Translators and translated many works into the Romance language.
His Work
Alfonso X was not only a patron but actively participated in every production that occurred under his reign.
Works of History
These works started after ascending the throne and ended shortly before his death.
Legal Works
Examples include the royal courts, the Setenario, and the Siete Partidas.
Scientific Works
Examples include the Book of Knowing Astronomy and the Alfonsine tables.
Compositions for Entertainment
Examples include The Book of Chess, Dice, and Tables and the Cantigas de Santa Maria.
The Importance of Alfonso X
King Alfonso X was an active director in all his literary undertakings, resolving syntactic and lexical problems. The language was broadened and strengthened by the commitment of the king to reach the status that it was entitled to.
14th-Century Prose
Fourteenth-century prose saw growth in didactic prose, historical prose, and prose fiction. One of the major figures was Pero López de Ayala. His innovation was the fictional chronicle, which gave them a vitality unknown before in this kind of writing.
Don Juan Manuel
Don Juan Manuel, nephew of Alfonso X, showed the same cultural concerns as his uncle. He was part of the new legal and court aristocracy in the fourteenth century and replaced the dietary habits in the ideology of the old rural aristocracy. He is the first writer really concerned about the transmission of his work. Don Juan Manuel was very thorough and a perfectionist. He worried about the reviews that others had of his work. He had his own personal style. His objective was to achieve clarity and accurate conciseness. His works are motivated by didactic intent. His books are varied and cover different topics.
The Count Lucanor
Don Juan Manuel presents the narrative framework of a tutor who advises his disciple.
Structure:
- Lucanor presents his tutor Patronio with a problem.
- Patronio replies with a tale that will draw the solution to the case proposed by the Count.
- Finally, Don Juan Manuel puts the moral (teaching) in verse.
Sources:
The sources are diverse: Oriental works, historical traditions, and Hispanic Christians, Arabs, Aesop’s fables.
Purpose:
The purpose is didactic but is accompanied by entertainment. The advice given often emphasizes Patronio’s cunning and prudence.
First Dramatic Text
The first dramatic text that is preserved in the Romance language in Spain is The Order of the Magi, from the twelfth century. This is a representation of 147 verses on the adoration of the kings. Most notable is the characterization and dramatic tension in it. Until the fifteenth century, no dramatic text has been found again.