Medieval Literature: A Journey Through Epic Poetry and Oral Tradition
The Middle Ages
The concept of the Middle Ages, spanning from the fall of the Roman Empire to the fall of Constantinople, was established by 17th-century historians. During this millennium, European and Mediterranean civilizations experienced both cultural decline and moments of glory.
Early and High Middle Ages
Following the Roman Empire’s decline, the Early Middle Ages began. This period saw the gradual assimilation of Latin culture by Germanic peoples and the East-West schism. The Christian Church played a crucial role in preserving Latin culture amidst challenging political and social conditions.
In the early 8th century, the Moors crossed the Pyrenees but were defeated by Charles Martel, whose descendant was Charlemagne. This marked the start of the Dark Ages and the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of cultural flourishing. Monastic schools became centers of education and culture.
The Middle Ages
This revival ushered in the High Middle Ages, characterized by urban culture and cathedral schools. A modern literary movement emerged, drawing inspiration from classical models and producing works in Latin that were later translated into Romance languages. This period also witnessed the rise of universities and the feudal system, an economic and political structure based on land exploitation through personal contracts between lords and vassals.
Late Middle Ages
The crisis of the feudal system marked the beginning of the Late Middle Ages. Land overuse and the emergence of money as a new form of wealth, alongside the rise of the bourgeoisie, created political and social instability. This period, however, experienced a cultural and literary boom, driven by secular literary circles associated with royalty and nobility.
Medieval European Literature
In the absence of the printing press, literary works were primarily oral or manuscript-based. Due to widespread illiteracy, most medieval literature was composed to be heard.
Composition of Medieval Works
Literary works were designed to captivate the audience’s imagination and ensure comprehension through auditory means. The medieval audience possessed a highly developed auditory memory. Consequently, medieval literary works were often fluid, though this varied by genre. Medieval literature encompassed diverse forms, including poetry, fiction, bestiaries (about animals), lapidaries (about stones), travelogues, narratives, and even guides for virtuous living.
Oral and Written Phenomena
Orality and writing served as communication technologies within society. During this time, literature in modern languages began to emerge.
Minstrel Performance
Jesters and minstrels were central figures in medieval performance. Minstrels composed and performed lyrical and epic poems, acting as cultural intermediaries.
The Emergence of Written Verse
In the 12th century, the Church sought to reach a wider, non-literate audience. This led to a shift towards written literature. Throughout the 13th century, writing continued to develop, encompassing more ambitious literary forms in both verse and prose, facilitated by the spread of paper.
Medieval Epic Poetry
Epic poetry was a prominent genre in the Middle Ages, characterized by:
- Focus on the hero: A figure who embodies human dignity, possessing exceptional, yet mortal, abilities.
- Action-oriented: The hero demonstrates virtues through courageous deeds in pursuit of honor.
- Objective and realistic narrative: Set in familiar, everyday environments.
- Linearity and unity of action: The narrative focuses on the hero’s exploits without digression.
- Verse and stanza as compositional units.
- Oral origins: Contributing to its linear structure and memorability.
- Focus on a heroic age: Narrated events are set in the past.
The social function of epic poetry was to extol the values of a people or social group.
The Deeds of the Cid
Cantar de Mio Cid is based on the later life of a historical figure, Ruy Díaz de Vivar, El Cid, a renowned warrior. The poem recounts his military and political career, blending historical facts with fictional elements.
The Organization of the Poem
The poem is divided into three cantos, but its narrative structure consists of two parts: a double process of loss and regaining of honor.