Literary Language and Genres: Characteristics and Examples
Characteristics of Literary Language
The characteristic features of literary language can be grouped into two broad sections:
- The expressions show a deviation from the norm, i.e., a departure from normal use.
- The use of connotative or suggestive language.
Features of Narrative Genres
Briefly describe the four subgenres of narrative:
Epic
The classic epic is a great tone composition in which gods intervene, such as “The Aeneid” by Virgil.
Epic Poem
Epic poems represent the quintessential medieval epic narrative, chronicling the adventures and exploits of a warrior hero who represents popular sentiments.
Fiction
Fiction is a long story written in prose.
Short Story
A short story usually develops a very simple and linear plot.
Distinctive Features of Theater’s Subgenres
Tragedy
Tragedy presents a conflict in which the protagonist faces an adverse fate and succumbs in this unequal struggle.
Comedy
Comedy shows everyday situations, highlighting their comic aspects, and resolves the conflict with a happy ending.
Drama
Drama can combine a painful conflict with comic elements. It does not require supporting characters and scenes of casual range.
Didactic Genre: Fable and Epistle
The didactic genre brings together works that are intended to teach or instruct the reader.
Fable
A fable is a short story, usually featuring animals with human behavior, that conveys a moral.
Epistle
An epistle is a composition in the form of a letter addressed to a real or imaginary person. It is a genre that often has a moralizing purpose.
Traditional Medieval Poetry
Traditional poetry is composed of anonymous songs that are transmitted orally and have feelings of love as a theme, sung during agricultural work, parties, weddings, or when someone died. Examples include Maya, Albada, and Serranillas.
Medieval Cult Lyric: Troubadour vs. Minstrel
Cult poetry is by a noted author (the troubadour) and is written. In general, it is a poem that appears later and develops the traditional lyric. The troubadour is the one who writes the lyrics and composes the music, while the minstrel is the one who sings the compositions.
Characteristics of Courtly Love
Courtly love developed in the field of medieval courts, especially in the Middle Ages (from the 13th century). The troubadour (poet) dedicated his verses to an idealized lady, often married, who became the object of his love. This often created a vassal relationship (hence calling her “sir” or “my lady”). Often, the figure of the husband (gilós) interferes with the relationship, noted by other names or members of the court.
Mozarabic Jarchas
Mozarabic jarchas are part of medieval lyric poetry (11th-14th century). They belong to the traditional lyric, whose characteristics are anonymous works with assonant rhyme, short length, and the presence of parallelism and choruses. Jarchas were written with Arabic characters at the end of some poems in Arabic or Hebrew. The main theme of jarchas is the lament of women for the absence of the loved one, or habib.
Traditional Poetry in Spanish
Spanish traditional poetry highlights the song. Its main theme is male and female love. The main compositions were Albada, Serranillas, and harvest songs. Spanish poetry develops the theme of courtly love, typical of troubadour poetry.