16th-Century Spanish Literature: Poetry, Theater, and Novel
16th-Century Spanish Literature
Poetry
In 16th-century Spain, two major poetry trends emerged: the traditional Italian-Spanish and the Spanish traditional poetry.
Spanish Traditional Poetry
In the 15th century, two types of poetry existed: learned poetry and popular poetry. Both continued into the 16th century. Poetry was widely cultivated through the Cancionero General, with compositions abundant in courtly love and troubadour tradition. Popular lyrics also continued throughout the century in the form of romances, which achieved great popularity in the second half.
Italianate Poetry
This innovative and cultured form of poetry dominated the latter part of the 16th century. Its characteristics include:
- A complete restoration of Spanish poetry.
- The introduction of the hendecasyllable, which harmonized with seven syllables.
- Italian influence on metrics, themes, and poetic attitudes.
- Idealization of the beloved and expression of love.
- Development of bucolic and pastoral themes, where the poet expresses love amidst nature with mythological references.
- Lyrical expression of the poet’s creative spirit.
Theater
In the first half of the 16th century, popular theater of Italian inspiration was represented in palaces. The theater gained Renaissance features, with prominent authors like Juan del Encina, Torres Navarro, and Lope de Rueda.
In the second half of the century, Juan de la Cueva in Seville was a precursor to Lope de Vega’s great theater, thanks to innovations in his works. These innovations included:
- Incorporation of heroes and medieval epic themes.
- Mixing comedy and tragedy in the same work.
- Presence of nobles and commoners in the same piece.
- Four-act structure, unlike the five acts of classical theater.
- Works with classic and national themes.
The Novel
The novel flourished in the 16th century, culminating in the works of Cervantes. In the first half of the century, two types of narrative thrived: the realistic, initiated by Lazarillo de Tormes, and the idealistic, which described a fictional world. Books of chivalry, like Amadis of Gaul, were popular after the first half of the century.
Lazarillo de Tormes
Authorship and Publishing
Little is known about the author’s life. The 1554 editions appeared in four different places, suggesting earlier editions. None of them contained the author’s name, making it an anonymous work.
Argument and Continuations
The story begins with a child serving his first master, a cleric. Throughout the novel, he serves several others: a priest, a nobleman, a monk, a pardoner, a painter, a chaplain, and a constable. He learns from each and eventually becomes a town crier and marries an archpriest’s maid. Lazarillo has had several sequels and imitations.
Plot and Structure
Lazarillo de Tormes consists of a prologue and seven uneven chapters. The book is presented as autobiographical, with the narrator writing to someone who requested it. Although episodic, the work has structural unity.
Themes and Social Criticism
The protagonist’s life is filled with diverse events, often centered on deception. Many characters represent Spanish society of the time. The narrator critiques this society, where misery, poverty, and hunger abound. Hunger becomes a central theme in Lazarillo’s “learning” alongside his masters. Religion is a constant motif, with the narrator subtly criticizing the clergy and false religiosity, showing an Erasmian attitude. The theme of honor is also reflected, from Lazarillo’s origins to his final position.
Style and Language
The novel’s realism paved the way for later works like those of Cervantes and the picaresque genre. The narrator uses a direct and colloquial style, reflecting the popular language of the time. The language is lively and full of colorful expressions, contributing to the realism of the narrative and Lazarillo’s low social status. Irony is abundant, used by the author to highlight the protagonist’s critical perspective on characters and situations.
Lazarillo and the Picaresque Novel
Lazarillo offers harsh social criticism, and many of its features became characteristic of the 17th-century picaresque novel:
- First-person narration.
- Realistic depiction of events.
- The rogue born into a dishonorable family.
- The rogue’s social class remaining unchanged.
- An open ending.