Castilian Prose and Literature: 13th-14th Centuries
Origins of Castilian Prose
- Fernando III established Castilian as the language of chancery, replacing Latin. He declared Castilian the official language for all documents and texts.
- Alfonso X the Wise, son of Ferdinand III, promoted the Toledo School of Translators. He inspired historical, scientific, cultural, and literary works that helped establish a written policy for Castilian prose.
- In the 13th century, the first collections of stories or fables were translated into Arabic. The two most important are:
- The Book of Kalila and Dimna (with moral intention)
- Sendebar Book of the Deceptions of Women (misogynistic character)
- In the 14th century, Infante Don Juan Manuel created an original work of great perfection in Castilian, which includes more than 50 stories or enxiemplos.
Alfonso X the Wise
Under his direction, the work of the School of Translators of Toledo, one of the most important cultural centers throughout the Middle Ages, was enhanced. The prose edition of all previous legal and historical documents was promoted.
Mester de Clerecía
From the 13th century, a new stream of learned poetry and writing known as Mester de Clerecía developed. The authors and their most important works of this period are Gonzalo de Berceo and anonymous works such as the “Libro de Apolonio“. During the 14th century, the Mester de Clerecía introduced innovations in the form and content of the poems. The Archpriest of Hita is the most important author of this period.
Gonzalo de Berceo
Gonzalo de Berceo was the first Spanish poet whose name is known. Born in Berceo, he was a cleric linked to the monastery of San Millán de la Cogolla.
His Work:
He wrote some lives of saints, such as Santo Domingo de Silos, San Millán, and Santa Oria. He also wrote The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence (unfinished). His most important work is The Miracles of Our Lady, which contains 25 short stories inspired by legends of the Marian tradition in Europe.
His Style:
The lines stand out for the rural atmosphere in which he usually sets his stories.
The Archpriest of Hita
The Archpriest of Hita is the author of the most important 14th-century clergy work.
He Wrote The Book of Good Love:
The Book of Good Love presents a variety of subjects, genres, stanzas, and verses. It is divided into seven sections: prologue, story, stories, satires, moral reflections, poems, and lyrical-religious secular-themed lyric poems.
Intention of the Work:
The Archpriest of Hita is ambiguous. Here are some ideas:
- First, the author states that he is going to write about various ways.
- However, he adds: “But because sin is the human thing, if some wanted to use the mad love, here you will find some ways to do so.”
Features:
It also has aspects of nature and folk troubadour. The features of his style are lively and include popular speech and the realism of many moments. Juan Ruiz’s work is one of the most vital creations in all of medieval Spanish literature.
Don Juan Manuel
The Count Lucanor is the most important book by Don Juan Manuel, and the one for which he is best known.
The Work Consists of:
- 51 stories
- Reasoning and 100 proverbs
- 80 more proverbs
- A moral or doctrinal treatise
The most interesting part is composed of 51 short stories with a clear moral-teaching intention. His sources and influences include Arab and Oriental tales and storybooks in the European Christian tradition.
Traits of Style:
Don Juan Manuel has a unique style. He indicates his willingness to employ words known to all; thus, if he introduces some Latin words, he informs the reader. The topics are varied and diverse. There is no thematic unit; he speaks of morals, virtues, vices, etc.
Intentionality of the Work:
He is also interested in the fun, entertainment, and pleasure of reading that people can get from the various stories he tells. He thinks that entertainment and pleasure can entice the reader.