Cervantes’ Masterpieces: Narrative Works Beyond Don Quixote
Narrative Works of Cervantes
La Galatea
La Galatea is a pastoral novel whose theme is love, presented through various cases. The basic argument is simple and is located in a limited space and a very short time: the love of the shepherds Elicio and Erastus for Galatea, on the banks of the River Tagus, for ten days. Several elements are added to this narrative scheme:
- Interpolated Stories: Cases of love experienced by other shepherds are included in the main plot. There are four interspersed narratives: two pastoral, one tragic courtesan, and one Byzantine.
- Poems: The novel incorporates a variety of love poetry: sonnets, octaves, triplets, songs, etc. The book ends with the “Song of Calliope,” an extensive poem that praises and describes the poetry of the author’s time.
- Debates: The novel offers philosophical debates about love: arguments for and against, the pain of unrequited love, jealousy, etc.
La Galatea is an unfinished novel, with unresolved stories, including the principal one. Cervantes promised a second part that he was unable to write.
Influence and Innovation:
The influence of Garcilaso is constant in La Galatea. Cervantes introduced some innovations in the pastoral genre by placing the main story in a particular place, compared to the usual structure of travel.
Exemplary Novels
Between the first and second parts of Don Quixote, Cervantes published his Exemplary Novels, a collection of twelve stories.
The Exemplary Novels are realistic and idealistic, critical and conformist, burlesque and serious. They incorporate other styles of narrative models of the time and folklore materials.
Structural and Thematic Characteristics:
Despite their apparent simplicity, they feature rich narrative modes and great complexity. An outstanding feature is the likelihood with which the most extraordinary and outrageous events are presented. They tell stories of:
- Love: thwarted love, love with a happy ending, love tainted by jealousy.
- Friendship: Many characters have a loyal friend.
Other stories, such as Rinconete y Cortadillo, focus on the world of rogues, prostitutes, and thieves. The Dialogue of the Dogs and The Deceitful Marriage develop themes of hypocrisy and deceit.
Rinconete y Cortadillo
Its relationship to the picaresque genre is stressed. It is structured in two parts:
- The presentation and the picaresque adventures of the two protagonists.
- The young men’s stay in the courtyard of Monipodio, where they witness the actions and attitudes towards life of criminals.
The epilogue informs of Rinconete’s amazement at the perverted morals of the mobsters. The narration is dominated by joy and humor, and it excels as a portrait of customs. Dialogue plays an important role, used to characterize individuals. The use of the jargon of offenders is notable, including their slang and incorrect religious terms relating to criminal society, which combines the practice of robbery and homicides with a surprising pious devotion.
The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda
It is a Byzantine novel. A couple of young and noble lovers undertake a long journey. During the journey, they face many dangers, which they gracefully overcome, allowing them to end in marriage.
The journey of the protagonists of Persiles is a symbol of human life, which is perfected with the intervention of divine providence.