Catalan Literature: A Historical Overview
Ramon Llull (13th Century)
Ramon Llull, a prominent figure in Catalan literature, lived a long life during the 13th century. His works are considered the first great classics of Catalan literature. He is credited with creating a literary language rich in vocabulary and syntax, previously unseen. Llull was a prolific writer, with over 250 attributed works, all handwritten in Latin, Arabic, and Catalan. He dedicated his life to spreading the Christian faith through rational arguments. Llull is also recognized for his philosophical contributions. After 30 years, he devoted himself to serving God, incorporating artistic and literary resources into his writing for doctrinal purposes, not aesthetics. Some considered him radical, yet he always found support.
Major Works:
- The Art Lully: Encyclopedic work containing his thoughts (1274)
- Book of the Order of Knighthood: Advocated for feudal chivalry’s role in defending order and the church (1276)
- Teaching Novels (Book of Evast and Blanquerna & Felix or Book of Wonders): Features exemplary biographical characters, Blaquerma and Felix, who embark on a journey of personal and religious fulfillment, reflecting aspects of Llull’s own life.
Chivalric Novels (15th Century)
Notable examples include Curial e Guelfa and Tirant lo Blanc. These works are characterized by familiar settings (time and space) for both the writer and reader, and often feature earlier songs in verse form.
Ausiàs March (1400-1459)
Ausiàs March elevated the Catalan language to new heights as a language of poetry, moving beyond conventionalism. His poetry is known for its emotional intensity and authenticity. It is introspective, seeking to address the external problems of human existence.
Major Works:
- Song of Love: Explores the theme of love, potentially inspired by March’s wife or another real person, blending sensual and spiritual aspects.
- Song of Death: Dedicated to the death of his second wife, Joana Escorna, expressing sincere and human reflections on death and its impact.
- Spiritual Song: A long poem of 224 verses, written in the second person, expressing his love for God.
The Four Major Chronicles of Catalonia (13th-14th Centuries)
These chronicles, written by James I, Bernat Desclot, Ramon Muntaner, and Peter the Ceremonious, offer valuable historical insights. The royal chronicles (13th century) served as propaganda for the kings. The chronicles of Bernat Desclot and Ramon Muntaner provide a more objective perspective.
Catalan Literature in the 16th Century
The Renaissance Humanism that flourished in Italy did not fully take hold in Catalan-speaking areas. A medieval literary tradition persisted, with an emphasis on folk traditions and poetry contests. The literary language remained archaic, referred to as “llemosina language.” Catalan authors did not readily adapt to the influence of Castilian literature, nor did they possess the strength to modernize their own tradition. Valencia, however, saw significant participation in the flourishing Spanish literature of the “Golden Century.” Cristòfor Despuig’s Los colloquia stands out as a work with Renaissance characteristics.
Catalan Literature in the 17th Century
This period was marked by a crisis of values, cultural and social pessimism, and a need to find solace in art. Two wars ravaged Catalan-speaking lands: the Reapers’ War and the Catalan Revolt, resulting in Catalonia’s defeat. Social insecurity prevailed, with banditry becoming a significant phenomenon. The Catholic Church exerted strong ideological control, and literary stagnation persisted.
Characteristics of the Baroque Period:
- Emphasis on contrast, antithesis, and paradox (e.g., beauty vs. ugliness, spirit vs. matter, life vs. death)
- Dramatic and witty language
- Themes of death, transience, time, loss, loneliness, and a pessimistic view of existence
Catalan Literature in the 18th Century
The 18th century witnessed the rise of Enlightenment philosophy, also known as the Age of Reason or Encyclopedism. Reason became the foundation of thought and its application in science, technology, and industry. In Catalonia, the Enlightenment’s influence was primarily seen in the works of historians who sought to rediscover Catalan identity. Though mostly written in Spanish, these works paved the way for the 19th-century renaissance.
Neoclassicism:
- Strict adherence to artistic rules
- Belief in literature’s positive influence on individuals
- Return of heroic literary characters
- Revival of didactic fables and satire in poetry
- Tragedy inspired by French playwright Racine (5 acts, in verse, following the rule of three unities)
Joan Ramis i Ramis, author of the tragedy Lucretia, is considered the most important Catalan author of this century.
Popular and Traditional Literature
Characteristics:
- Ancient origins
- Anonymous authorship
- Popularity among the working class
- Oral transmission, often with multiple versions
Collection and Study:
During the 19th century, influenced by Romanticism (Europe) and the Reinaxença (Catalonia), songbooks (collections of songs) and folktales began to be collected and studied. Manuel Milà i Fontanals was the first scholar to publish Catalan songs and ballads. Jacinto Verdaguer (Catalonia), Father Antoni Maria Alcover (Balearic Islands), and Enric Valor (Valencia) were notable collectors of folktales.
Genres:
- Songs: Secular and religious verses
- Fables: Anonymous stories with fantastical elements
- Legends: Based on real events with added, possibly uncertain, information