Catalan Literature: 14th and 15th Century Prose and Poetry
Religious and Moralizing Prose of the 14th Century
In the 14th century, the Church entered a deep crisis. The work of many authors was an attempt to overcome this crisis and restore the battered figure of papal prestige. Three major Catalan authors stand out:
- Francesc Eiximenis (Lo Crestià, a 13-book encyclopedia of which only four survive, expounding on Christian dogma and morality).
- Vincent Ferrer (author of numerous sermons).
- Anselm Turmeda, a Catalan who converted to Islam (Disputa de l’ase, a discussion on the superiority of man over animals).
Humanistic Prose
Bernat Metge introduced humanistic ideas to Catalonia. In 1396, he was prosecuted and imprisoned due to unclear circumstances surrounding the death of King John I. In 1399, he was reinstated by King Martin of Aragon. From this experience, he wrote Lo Somni (The Dream), his most valued work, consisting of four books:
- Book 1: Expresses his skepticism about the immortality of the soul.
- Book 2: Reviews the present moment.
- Book 3: Criticizes women.
- Book 4: Praises women, especially Catalan queens.
Bernat Metge also authored works in verse, all very much in the medieval mentality, such as Fortune and Wisdom.
Narrative of the 15th Century
Chivalric Novels
Curial e Güelfa
This novel stars Curial, a man without fortune who, thanks to the protection of Güelfa, a widowed lady who falls in love with him, is able to obtain the order of knighthood and show his love and appreciation. Curial undergoes two tests of loyalty (and is related to Laquesis and Cam) but overcomes them thanks to the girl and Melchior de Pando. The plausibility of the story gives it an air of modernity. The events are set in Italy, France, and North Africa in the 13th century.
Tirant lo Blanc
Written by Joanot Martorell between 1460 and 1468, this novel narrates the adventures of Tirant in the court of England, in Sicily, and across the Mediterranean, where he becomes a skillful admiral. He gains fame at the court of Constantinople thanks to his love for Princess Carmesina. He fights against the Turks in the Byzantine Empire and North Africa. Upon returning from his military campaigns, he marries Carmesina and becomes Emperor until his death.
The novel showcases a variety of characters with a more bourgeois than medieval mentality, transgressing established rules, a feature of its modernity. Tirant lo Blanc has been called a “total novel” because it develops all the characteristics of the genre:
- Chivalric: Focuses on the biography of a knight and describes battles in detail.
- Historical: Characters and geography can be identified and documented.
- Social: Represents various social strata: kings, nobles, servants, slaves.
- Erotic: Emphasizes the importance of love and sex.
- Psychological: Analyzes the depth of the characters.
Tirant lo Blanc is written in two distinct and complementary styles:
- Valencian Prose: A formal, rhetorical style that extends phrases and ornaments, modeled on Latin.
- Colloquial Style: Reflects the lively speech of Valencia, evident in dialogues and short sayings.
Other Notable Works
Jaime Roig
In 1478, Jaime Roig authored L’Espill (The Mirror) or Llibre de les Dones (Book of Women) in 1460. This work, written in 16,359 lines of four syllables, is a true novel in verse where aversion to women predominates. It features a realistic treatment of spaces and scenarios where actions occur. It tells of the protagonist’s difficult relationships with women. He spares only two women from his general criticism: the Virgin Mary and his wife, Elizabeth Pellisser.
Joan Roig de Corella
A 15th-century poet and storyteller, Joan Roig de Corella’s prose work is diverse and full of contrasts. Notable works include two profane pieces (Tragedy of Caldesa, History of Jason and Medea, Story of Hero and Leander) and religious works (History of St. Joseph and Magdalena). He is considered the top representative of Valencian prose.