Golden Age of Spanish Literature: Renaissance & Baroque
Golden Age of Spanish Literature (14th-17th Centuries)
Renaissance and Baroque Movements
From the 14th to the 17th century, two major cultural movements flourished in Europe: the Renaissance and the Baroque. In Spain, these movements spanned from the reign of the Catholic Monarchs to Charles II. Despite their distinct characteristics, these two centuries are collectively known as the Golden Age, representing a period of remarkable cultural achievements.
Historical Context
Three key events marked the beginning of the Golden Age under the Catholic Monarchs:
- The end of the Reconquista
- The expulsion of the Jews
- The discovery of America
The Reconquista primarily involved the lower Castilian nobility and those seeking to improve their social standing. The incorporation of most territories occurred later, during the reign of Charles I.
The discovery of America had profound consequences:
Economic Impact
- Atlantic ports gained prominence.
- The European diet diversified with the introduction of products from the Americas.
- A substantial influx of precious metals enriched Spain.
Political Impact
The monarchy gained control over vast territories and significant resources.Scientific Impact
- Advancements in engineering, mining, and navigation.
- Development of geographical maps and refined ethnic classifications.
Social Impact
A wave of Spanish emigration to the Americas.European Impact
The Catholic Monarchs implemented a strategic marriage policy, securing vast territories for their successors.Society and Thought
During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Renaissance emerged in Italy and spread throughout Europe, reaching Spain in the 16th century. This movement brought:
- A revival of Greco-Roman culture.
- The development of humanism.
- A flourishing of translations and the rise of vernacular languages.
Religion
In 16th-century Europe, the Catholic Church faced scrutiny from theologians who questioned established religious practices:
Erasmus of Rotterdam
A prominent Christian humanist, Erasmus advocated for a return to the purity of the Gospel and individual religious experience, criticizing the rigidity of ecclesiastical institutions.
Martin Luther
Influenced by Erasmus, Luther’s theses sparked the Protestant Reformation.
In response, the Council of Trent initiated the Counter-Reformation to defend Catholic tradition, significantly impacting Catholic Spain.
The coexistence of three religions in medieval Spain led to the distinction between Old Christians and New Christians (conversos). The Spanish Inquisition was established to address religious dissent.
Language
Antonio de Nebrija’s publication of Grammar of the Castilian Language established Spanish as a language of culture within the humanist movement. Castilian literature reached new heights of development and creativity, culminating in the contributions of Cervantes.
Renaissance Lyric Poetry
First Renaissance Lyric
This period, during the reign of Charles I in the first half of the 16th century, saw the introduction of Italian literary forms and European philosophical currents.
Second Renaissance Lyric
Coinciding with the reign of Philip II in the latter half of the 16th century, this period aligned with the Council of Trent and the Counter-Reformation.
Early Renaissance Poetry Trends
Traditional and Ballad Lyric
- Traditional Song: Typically written in Castilian octosyllabic and broken-foot verses, focusing on courtly love.
- Romances: Popular ballads disseminated through chapbooks and collections.
Castilian Verse Lyric
Courtly poetry continued through editions of the Cancionero general by Hernando del Castillo.
Italianate Lyric
Influenced by Italian poets like Petrarch and Castiglione, this style introduced new metrical forms (sonnets, lira, silva) and themes (nature, mythology).
Garcilaso de la Vega
The embodiment of a courtier: gallant, conversationalist, humanist, musician, poet, and soldier. His love poetry introduced new concepts and forms, reviving classical forms and metrics.
Themes
- Petrarchan love: Inspired by an impossible love.
- Idealized nature: Refined and harmonious.
- Mythology: Interweaving love, despair, and death.
Style
Serene, simple, and elegant, expressing feelings naturally. His language is musical yet melancholic. He employed classical literary topics like carpe diem and locus amoenus. His style features metaphors, epithets, hyperbaton, alliteration, and personification.
Stages
- Influence of Hispanic poetry.
- Adoption of Petrarchan and Italian forms.
- Full maturity of style.
Works
His works include eclogues, elegies, an epistle, songs, an ode, and sonnets. His sonnets and songs blend Petrarchan style with love rhetoric. His elegies show classical influence. His three eclogues are his most important works.
Second Renaissance Lyric
New literary directions emerged in the second half of the 16th century due to the Counter-Reformation initiated by Pope Pius IV and championed by Philip II.
Poetic Trends
Petrarchan Lyric
Continued from the first Renaissance, with ornate language and focus on love themes.
Horatian Lyric
Focused on moral issues, favoring the lira stanza and concise language.
Religious Lyric
Ascetic literature (emphasizing struggle and sacrifice) and mysticism (seeking union with God).
Fray Luis de León
The foremost representative of ascetic lyric poetry. He translated classical poetry and biblical texts.
Themes
Desire for solitude, retreat from city life, pursuit of peace and knowledge as a path to God.
Style
Known for his odes, using the lira stanza. His style features humor, irony, linguistic perfection, use of second person and exclamations, enumerations, rhetorical questions, enjambments, nature symbolism, epithets, metaphors, and personifications.
Works
- Ode to Retired Life
- Ode to Francisco Salinas
- Night Serene
- Ode to the Ascension
- Prophecy of the Tagus
San Juan de la Cruz
A leading figure in religious literature alongside Santa Teresa.
Themes
Mystical experiences, expressed through symbols and allegories.
Style
Uses the imagery of marriage to symbolize mystical union with God.
Works
His short but intense poetic output includes traditional poems and mystical works written in prison:
- Dark Night of the Soul
- Spiritual Canticle
- Living Flame of Love