16th Century Spain: Renaissance, Society, and Culture
16th Century: The Rebirth
This new era is characterized by features quite different from the Middle Ages, some of which began to appear in the 15th century.
In politics, the first modern nations appeared, ruled by absolute monarchies based largely on the divine origin of power. In Spain, the 16th century began under the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, who united the crowns of Castile and Aragon with their marriage. The kingdom of Aragon owned territories in Italy, an important cultural focus that influenced the entire literature of the period. The Catholic Monarchs were succeeded on the throne by Charles I, also Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. We are in an era of opening up, ending with Philip II and the Counter-Reformation in the second half of the century.
Spanish Renaissance
Periods
The Spanish Renaissance started in recent years of the reign of the Catholic Monarchs and extended until the end of the 16th century. In the 16th century, two periods can be distinguished, corresponding to the reigns of Charles V and Philip II.
- Charles V represents the moment of political and economic splendor, and the embrace of the new European currents. Charles V inherited a vast empire, which made him the most powerful emperor of his time.
- Philip II: In the wake of conflicts with Protestants in the European territories, Spain allied with the papacy and became a defender of Catholicism. The Counter-Reformation began, characterized by distrust of culture and isolation from the rest of Europe. It was prohibited to import books, study abroad, or translate the Bible.
In parallel, a period of religious fervor began, which favored the appearance of religious literature.
Society and Culture in the 16th Century
Forms of life and the Renaissance mentality show distinct characteristics from the Middle Ages.
- Economy: In the economic field, the nascent market capitalism expanded, consolidated, and transformed social relations between nobles, burghers, and clergymen.
- Politics: In politics, some states had large national armies. Authoritarian monarchies were kept outside Germany and Italy.
- Society-Culture: Socially, the growth of the bourgeoisie and humanistic influences favored the exaltation of personal merit by virtue of the individual against the tribe and the secularization of culture, which was more vitalistic. The Protestant Reformation germinated with Luther as its most prominent figure, rejecting the authority of the papacy.
Renaissance culture involved the assimilation of Humanism. The adoption of Latin as the language of culture and the acceptance of Roman orthography forged a common culture in Western Europe. Humanism gave rise to the most characteristic features of the Renaissance:
- The assessment of Greco-Roman culture meant reclaiming the spirit and knowledge of classical antiquity.
- Anthropocentrism conceives man as the hub of the universe and integrated with nature, who should develop their intelligence and sensitivity through rationalism.
- Renaissance spirituality was marked by the renewal of religious consciousness conducted by humanists.
- The role model: a Renaissance man should cultivate a balanced and harmonious soul and body.