Introduction to Literary Genres and the Middle Ages

Literary Genres

Literary genres are categories that allow us to group literary texts with common features, giving readers a prior idea about the work and offering patterns and models.

4.1. Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry expresses the author’s feelings, opinions, and perceptions of the world.

Metrical Analysis

To determine the measure of the verses in a poem, consider the following:

1. The last word of each verse:
   • If the verse ends in an aguda word (stressed on the last syllable), add a syllable.
   • If the verse ends in a llana word (stressed on the second to last syllable), the count remains the same.
   • If the verse ends in an esdrújula word (stressed on the third to last syllable), subtract a syllable.
2. Metric licenses:
   • Sinalefa: When a word ends in a vowel and the next begins with a vowel, they are counted as one syllable. Example: para ir con templarte está mi oído.
   • Dialefa: A diphthong can be counted as two syllables. Example: insaciable.
   • Synaeresis: Two syllables in hiatus can be counted as one. Example: purpúreas rosas sobre Galatea.
3. Type of verse:
   • Short verses: Up to 8 syllables.
   • Long verses: 9 or more syllables.

Rhyme, Verse, and Poem

• Rhyme: The repetition of sounds in two or more verses from the last stressed syllable.
  • Consonant rhyme: All sounds are repeated.
  • Assonant rhyme: Only vowels are repeated.
• Verse: A single line of poetry.
• Stanza: A group of verses following a fixed pattern.
• Poem: A text written in verse.

Poetic Forms

• Song: A poem about love.
• Elegy: A poem expressing grief over a loss.
• Ode: A poem praising something or someone.

The Middle Ages

1.1. The Medieval Period

The Middle Ages spans from the 5th century (fall of the Roman Empire) to the 15th century (discovery of America).

Socio-Historical Context

Much of the Middle Ages was occupied by the Reconquista. Society was stratified and immobile, divided into three classes:

• Nobles (bellatores): Engaged in war, privileged, did not pay taxes.
• Clergy (oratores): Dedicated to prayer and copying manuscripts, privileged, did not pay taxes.
• Commoners (laboratores): Worked the land, paid taxes.

The hero, representing courage, honor, and religion, held great importance.

Medieval Mentality

Religion heavily influenced the medieval person. The mentality was theocentric (God-centered). Earthly life was seen as a “vale of tears,” a preparation for eternal life. This influenced literature, leading to didactic and moralizing works like The Count Lucanor.

Characteristics of Literature

• Oral transmission: Literature was transmitted through song and recitation, leading to multiple versions of works.
• Anonymity: Authors were often unknown.
• Didactic and moralizing intention.

Genres, Authors, and Works

Poetry

• Lyric: Expresses feelings.
  • Jarchas: Short Mozarabic poems lamenting the absence of a lover.
  • Cantigas de amigo: Longer Galician-Portuguese poems with similar themes, using parallelism.
• Epic: Narrates events.
  • Mester de Juglaría: Epic poems recited by minstrels, recounting the exploits of heroes. Example: Poem of My Cid. Characteristics:
    • Realism
    • Irregular meter
    • Fixed formulas and epithets
  • Mester de Clerecía: Didactic and religious poems written in quatrains of Alexandrine verses (14 syllables) with consonant rhyme. Authors include Gonzalo de Berceo (Miracles of Our Lady) and Juan Ruiz (The Book of Good Love).

Narrative Prose

• Alfonso X “The Wise”: Created the School of Translators of Toledo, promoting Castilian as the official language.
• Don Juan Manuel: Author of The Count Lucanor.

Theater

Theater as a spectacle did not exist, only small religious representations.