Catalan Literature: A Historical Overview
The Troubadour Tradition
The main genres of troubadour poetry include:
- The Song (Canso): An idealization of praise and courtly love.
- The Dawn Song (Alba): Tells the separation of lovers at dawn.
- The Pastorela: A dialogue between a knight and a shepherdess.
- The Dance Song (Balada): A song for dancing.
- The Tenso: A poetic debate between two troubadours.
- The Planh (Cry): A lament for the death of a loved one.
- The Sirventes: A personal attack or a promotion of ideas.
Catalan poets initially wrote in Occitan due to the similarity between Occitan and Catalan. Prominent Catalan troubadours included Guillem de Berguedà, Ramon Vidal de Besalú, Guillem de Cabestany, and Cerverí de Girona.
Early Catalan Texts and Ramon Llull
The first Catalan texts date back to the 12th century. The most significant figure of this era was Ramon Llull (1232-1315), who authored numerous books, with nearly 250 preserved today. Llull wrote in Latin, Catalan, Occitan, and Arabic.
Humanism and the Renaissance
During the 13th and 14th centuries, Catalan literature absorbed humanistic currents from Italy. Humanism placed the human figure at the center of thought, contrasting with the medieval focus on God. In art, this trend sought to revive elements and styles of classical antiquity. A key figure was Bernat Metge (1340-1413), whose most important work is Lo somni (The Dream).
At the end of the 14th century, Catalan literature displayed early signs of the Renaissance. This period coincided with economic recovery and the expansion of the Catalan Crown’s territories in Italy. Catalan literature reached its peak in the 15th century, its Golden Age centered in Valencia and fueled by authors from the bourgeoisie and gentry.
Poetry in the Golden Age
During the 15th century, poetry reached its zenith with the works of Jordi de Sant Jordi, Joan Roís de Corella, and Ausiàs March. However, the most original and influential work was undoubtedly the poetry of Ausiàs March.
Ausiàs March
Ausiàs March was the first poet to write in a genuinely Catalan language. He definitively broke with the troubadour tradition, both in language and in the conventions of courtly love. His poetry represents a step towards modern poetry.
March’s poetry revolves around themes of good and evil, love (both good and bad), sin and virtue, pain and death, and the struggle with oneself. The theme of love occupies the most space in his extensive oeuvre. In March’s work, love is always intellectualized and idealized. He distinguishes three types of love: honest love (corresponding to the human soul), pleasurable love (corresponding to the body), and a combination of the two.
March’s poetry is grouped into cycles classified by topic or by signals. Depending on these signals, his love poetry comprises five cycles: Plena de seny (Full of Wisdom); Llir entre cards (Lily Among Thorns); Cant spiritual (Spiritual Song); Amor, amor (Love, Love); and Oh, foll amor (Oh, Crazy Love).
- Plena de seny (Full of Wisdom) depicts early love. The poet loved the lady, but she loved him little, resulting in verses filled with bitterness and longing.
- Llir entre cards (Lily Among Thorns) is March’s most extensive love cycle, addressed to a single lady, Teresa, who was married with children. The poet felt deeply in love, but she did not reciprocate.
- The other three cycles are collectively called love songs.
Narrative Literature
Narrative literature during the Middle Ages drew inspiration from tales of chivalry and traditional epics and legends about Greco-Roman antiquity. Chivalric tales gave rise to two types of works: books of chivalry and chivalric novels.
Books of Chivalry
Books of chivalry emerged in the 13th century. These works are characterized by the presence of fantastical and unbelievable elements, such as giants, dragons, and exaggerated physical strength and superhuman qualities of horses. They narrate impossible adventures set in distant and exotic lands. Their characters embody the ideal model of chivalry.
Chivalric Novels
Chivalric novels lack fantastical elements. Their protagonists are strong and courageous but within human proportions. The actions take place in familiar lands, well-localized in time and in a nearby environment. An example is Tirant lo Blanc.
Tirant lo Blanc
Tirant lo Blanc presents a plausible and credible model of chivalry relevant to the society of the time. It reflects changing aesthetic tastes, increasingly closer to reality, and the needs of the chivalric world of the 15th century. The novel presents an exemplary gentleman and human being, both possible and credible, who is suited to his time and capable of governing the destinies of his companions.
Tirant lo Blanc, one of the most important novels in European literature, was written by Joanot Martorell in the second half of the 15th century and first printed in 1490. It has been described as a novel full of chivalry, fantasy, and history. The work, divided into 487 chapters, tells the story of a young knight, Tirant lo Blanc, from his beginnings in the court of England until his death in Greece. Tirant incorporates both chivalric and sentimental elements.
Medieval Literature and Social Classes
- Religious literature – Clergy
- Chivalric literature – Nobility
- Popular literature – People
Ramon Llull and Catalan Prose
Ramon Llull is considered the creator of Catalan literary prose. He is not only a major figure in Catalan literature but also a prominent figure in universal literature and science. His work had an extraordinarily decisive impact on the history of the Catalan language and all Romance languages. He elevated Catalan prose from its previous mediocrity to a level of modernity comparable to Alfonso X the Wise of Spain or Dante Alighieri of Italy. This is due to several factors:
- He was the first European philosopher to use a vernacular language to discuss high science. At the time, physical and philosophical treatises were written in Latin throughout Europe. Literature, however, was increasingly written in vernacular languages.
- He developed a secure, nuanced, and flexible prose style suitable for expressing all the subtleties of intelligence and feeling.
- He expanded the lexicon, adding new words.
- He helped establish the language standard later adopted by the royal chancery.
“We do not understand words, we understand love.” – Ramon Llull
Medieval Chronicles
Medieval chronicles are historical accounts in book form that recount the time of the most glorious Catalan dynasty. There are four main chronicles:
- The Chronicle of James I (Llibre dels fets – Book of Deeds)
- The Chronicle of Peter III of Aragon
- The Chronicle of Bernat Desclot
- The Chronicle of Ramon Muntaner
In the first two cases, the chronicles were dictated by the kings themselves. In the latter two, they were written by authors who directly participated in the military campaigns of the crown.
- Llibre dels fets (Book of Deeds): James I dictated the deeds and experiences of his reign as a model for his descendants. He presents himself as sensitive, cruel, brave, and decisive. He aims to offer an original image and transmit his authority.
- Chronicle of Bernat Desclot: This chronicle is the most “cinematic” of the four. The main character is Peter the Great, son of James I. Desclot shows only what he wants to show, meaning he doesn’t tell lies but doesn’t reveal the whole truth either.
- Chronicle of Ramon Muntaner: This is the most passionate of the chronicles. Muntaner believes his work is commissioned by God and reports everything he is directly involved in.
The Golden Age
The 15th century marked the autumn of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance. The Crown of Aragon had experienced three centuries of Mediterranean splendor and built an empire that extended to Valencia. This period saw the flourishing of Catalan literature, particularly in poetry and prose, laying the foundation for future literary developments.