Catalan Literature: Golden Age Overview
Catalan Literature: The Golden Age
Humanism
Bernat Metge
Bernat Metge is a prominent figure in Catalan humanism, a movement that revived classical antiquity and rejected aspects of the medieval period. He served as an official in the royal court of King John I of Aragon. Humanist ideals were highly valued during this time, with Latin becoming a requirement for officials in the royal chancery.
Work: Lo Somni (The Dream)
Lo Somni, considered Metge’s masterpiece and a cornerstone of Medieval Catalan literature, was likely written after his imprisonment to gain favor with the new King, Martin l’Humà. This first-person narrative depicts Metge’s dream in prison, where he encounters the deceased King John I and two classical gods. The book is divided into four parts, and Metge’s intention is clear: to justify himself to King Martin and regain his position in the royal court.
Lo Somni is notable for its complex syntax, a departure from the Latinized prose of Ramon Llull, and its exploration of humanist ideas, reflecting the cultural trends of the time.
Chronicles
The Chronicles represent a significant achievement in Catalan prose, documenting the historical events of the Catalan crown’s expansion, including the conquests of Majorca, Valencia, Sicily, Sardinia, and expeditions to North Africa. This period spans from the reign of James I the Conqueror (1213-1276) to Peter IV of Aragon (1336-1387).
Chronicle of James I (Llibre dels fets – Book of Deeds)
This chronicle, written in a personal and autobiographical style, recounts King James I’s memories, focusing on the conquest of Valencia and Mallorca. While not physically written by the king himself, he oversaw its composition. The chronicle has a didactic purpose, employs a lively language, and reflects the belief in providentialism (the idea that victories are divinely ordained).
Chronicle of Bernat Desclot
Desclot’s chronicle primarily focuses on the reign of Peter II the Great, a contemporary of the author.
Chronicle of Ramon Muntaner
Muntaner’s chronicle is the most renowned of the four. It covers a vast historical period, from the birth of James I to the coronation of Alfonso III of Aragon. The most captivating part details Muntaner’s personal experiences with the almogàvers (Catalan mercenary soldiers) during the conquests of Sicily and Calabria and the expedition to the East.
Features of Muntaner’s chronicle:
- Nationalism, evident in Muntaner’s portrayal of the Catalan expeditions
- Providentialism
- A vivid and direct language
- A style seemingly intended for oral recitation
Chronicle of Peter IV of Aragon
Peter IV’s chronicle covers his own reign and that of his father, Alfonso IV of Aragon. It is characterized by a strong desire for self-justification.
Ausias March
Ausias March (1397-1459) is recognized as the first author to write poetry in Catalan without Provençal influences. Born in Gandia and deceased in Valencia, he was married twice.
Work:
March’s work comprises 128 poems (totaling 10,000 lines), categorized into:
- Love songs (cançons d’amor)
- Songs of death (cançons de mort)
- Moral songs (cançons morals)
- Spiritual songs (cançons espirituals) (224 lines)
Love Songs:
March’s love poetry marks a departure from the courtly love tradition of the troubadours. He viewed obsessive love as a sickness, leading to the condemnation of the soul, and rejected the idealized portrayal of love prevalent in earlier poetry. This rejection led to a more realistic depiction of love. Despite this, the influence of the troubadours remains evident in his use of senhal (pseudonyms) for his beloved: Plena de seny entre cards, amor, amor, oh foll amor (Full of wisdom among thistles, love, love, oh foolish love).
Spiritual Song (Cant Espiritual):
This extensive poem, written in unrhymed verses, addresses God, expressing remorse for sins committed in his love life and pleading for salvation in the afterlife.
Curial e Güelfa
Curial e Güelfa, an anonymous fifteenth-century novel discovered in the nineteenth century, is characterized by realism and verisimilitude. Set in the thirteenth century, it is divided into three books, each preceded by a prologue.
Book 1:
This book introduces Curial, a young man from a poor family who receives an education at the court of the Marquis of Montferrat. Güelfa, the young widowed sister of the Marquis, falls in love with Curial and provides him with financial support, enabling him to become a gentleman. False rumors about Curial and Güelfa force him to flee to Austria. There, he is offered the hand of Laquesis but declines. Güelfa learns of the proposal and becomes jealous. The book concludes with Curial’s triumphant return to Montferrat.
Book 2:
This book centers on Curial’s participation in a tournament in France. He emerges victorious but faces further defamation and rumors spread by Laquesis. Güelfa vows not to forgive him until he seeks forgiveness from the court.
Book 3:
This book narrates Curial’s journey to the Holy Land and Greece. Upon his return, his ship is wrecked on the African coast, and he is taken prisoner for six years before being released. Finally, after a tournament, Güelfa asks the court to forgive Curial, as she had previously demanded. The couple reconciles and marries.
Curial e Güelfa skillfully combines chivalric adventures with amorous intrigue.
Other Authors
Francesc Eiximenis
Francesc Eiximenis, a Franciscan friar born in Girona, is the author of Lo Crestià (The Christian). This comprehensive treatise covers all aspects of Christian life and was written in an accessible language for a bourgeois audience.
Vincent Ferrer
: Dominican friar. Preacher known in various European territories, his sermons are preserved, transcribed verbatim by a escrivents. There are common exclamations and onomatopoeia. He wrote for a popular audience. TURMEDA Anselm: Franciscan Friar amonestaments good book written between daltres. Tunis became the Mohammedan religion. Jaime Roig: Physician and author of prestige or lEspill White Women. Joan Rois de Corella: Possibly priest, author Dobres was religious, romantic and mythological. Valencia is the model of rhetoric and prose classicitzant.