16th Century Spanish Novel: Picaresque and Cervantes
16th Century Novel Development
The 16th century saw remarkable development in the novel, with several sub-genres emerging. These included pastoral, Byzantine, Moorish, and picaresque novels, adding to the existing chivalry and sentimental genres. Many of these subgenres offered an escape from everyday reality through reading. However, the picaresque novel uniquely addressed the issues of poverty and amorality within Spanish society. It presented realistic accounts of human types in urban settings, contrasting with the idealized nature and characters found in other genres.
Picaresque Novel Characteristics
A key feature of the picaresque novel is its protagonist, the ‘rogue,’ an antihero. Unlike the noble knights of chivalry novels, the rogue faces adversity through anonymity and poverty. The narrative is typically in the first person, allowing readers to observe the rogue’s physical and psychological development, as well as their critical view of society, often through the masters they serve.
Lazarillo de Tormes
Lazarillo de Tormes, an anonymous work, is considered the start of the picaresque genre. The protagonist, Lazarus, is an adult working as a barker for the archpriest of San Salvador. He recounts his life in a letter, explaining the suffering he endured to achieve a stable job and justifying his leniency towards his wife’s adultery. The story begins with his humble origins and details his experiences with various masters, including a blind man, a priest, and a nobleman. The novel employs a simple style, incorporating sayings and expressions from the time. Some anecdotes are presented as if from folk tradition, enhancing the realism.
Miguel de Cervantes
Miguel de Cervantes is considered the foremost representative of Castilian literature. His novel, Don Quixote de la Mancha, has had a global impact. Cervantes’ life spanned two historical eras, reflected in his works. His youth was influenced by Renaissance humanism, while his maturity witnessed the growing crisis and pessimism of the Baroque period. He explored various literary genres, but his most notable works are in fiction and theater. His stories include Don Quixote de la Mancha, Novelas Ejemplares, and La Galatea.
Don Quixote de la Mancha
Don Quixote de la Mancha is Cervantes’ main novel and a masterpiece of world literature. It tells the story of Alonso Quijano, a nobleman who, at fifty, loses his mind and decides to imitate the heroes of chivalry novels. Cervantes aimed to show the harmful effects of excessive reading of such books. While the book is often burlesque and a parody of bad romances, it also prompts readers to reflect on the challenges of realizing human ideals.