Medieval Spanish Literature
ALFONSO X
Promoter of Castilian
Alfonso X promoted the use of Castilian as a common language between farmers, Jews, and Arabs. He gathered prominent scholars in various disciplines of knowledge and actively engaged in text editing and supervision.
Themes
Alfonso X sought to preserve all that was politically, socially, and scientifically significant, resulting in a variety of themes in his work:
- Law: The Book of Laws or Seven Parts provided legal rules based on Roman law and contemporary laws.
- Science: Included studies on astronomy and the properties of gemstones.
- Games and Entertainment: The Book of Axedrez, Dice, and Tables listed various forms of entertainment.
- History: Two plays, rooted in biblical times, chronicled humankind’s journey from its origins to Alfonso X’s time.
Style
Alfonso X emphasized not only what to say but also how to say it, paying attention to syntax and lexicon:
- Syntax: Utilized long sentences and conjunctions to link prayers, introducing new or rarely used conjunctions.
- Lexicon: Created derivative words, replaced Latin words with Romance equivalents, and introduced Latin terms to express concepts previously limited to learned languages.
NARRATIVE IN THE XIV CENTURY
Bourgeois Development
The fourteenth century saw the rise of the bourgeoisie, reducing religious idealism in both Spain and Europe. Works from this period outnumbered those of earlier times. The use of paper instead of parchment significantly influenced the development of prose due to its lower cost.
Historical Narrative Prose
Initially focused on recounting acts of war, this genre expanded to include royal marriages, deaths of important figures, travels, and conquests. A notable example is the Great Chronicle of Alfonso XI.
Prose Fiction: Adventure Stories
Adventure stories, originating in the thirteenth century, reached their peak in the fourteenth century. The main character, typically of noble descent, pursued love and fame to reclaim their rightful place. The action unfolded in fantastical, distant settings. The open structure, with no defined ending, allowed for continuity and the creation of cycles like:
- Arthurian Cycle: Focused on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
- Trojan Cycle: Based on Homer’s epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, recounting the Trojan War.
DON JUAN MANUEL
Continuation of Alfonso X’s Legacy
Don Juan Manuel, nephew of Alfonso X, continued his uncle’s work and is considered the most representative prose writer of the fourteenth century.
Themes
His works explored a wide range of themes, including vanity, hypocrisy, justice, and friendship, all with a clear moral and didactic purpose.
Style
Don Juan Manuel demonstrated a conscious effort in his writing style, employing a rich vocabulary and frequent use of copular sentences, resulting in a deliberate pace.
Works
His literary production includes works such as the Book of Punishments and Advice to his Son Don Fernando, the Book of the Knight and Squire, the Book of States, and the Book of Count Lucanor (or Patronio).
Libro del Conde Lucanor (Patronio)
This fictional story, with a didactic and moral purpose, consists of three parts:
- A collection of exempla (short stories) expressing moral teachings.
- A collection of 100 proverbs.
- A treatise on the salvation of the soul.
The central part comprises the exempla. The frame story follows the senex/puer (old man/young boy) trope: the young Count Lucanor seeks advice from Patronio to succeed in court. Patronio responds to various situations by presenting exempla, each concluding with a moral.
ORIGINS OF THEATER
Liturgy as Dramatic Motor
Liturgy served as the driving force behind dramatic activity during the Middle Ages, as many religious ceremonies were incomprehensible to the uneducated masses.
Liturgical Dramas
The first liturgical dramas were sung representations performed inside churches. The Easter trope, a dialogue between the shepherds at the manger, became a model for Christmas performances.
Profane Elements
The inclusion of profane and humorous elements led to the dramas moving from churches to public squares.
ORDER OF THE MAGI
First Preserved Castilian Play
This twelfth-century work is the first preserved play in Castilian. It is an adaptation of a French original, consisting of 147 verses and divided into five scenes.
PROFANE THEATER
Games of Ridicule and Crazy Parties
Secular theater, performed in public squares, included games of ridicule and crazy parties, typically featuring minstrel shows and burlesque pantomimes.
Brief and Repetitive Works
The plays were short and repetitive, incorporating music, mime, and comic characters like the devil. They were often performed on carts in squares, hence the name “feast of the carts.”