Renaissance Conception of Life and Reality in Art and Literature

Posted on Oct 2, 2024 in Latin

Renaissance Conception of Life and Reality

Features

Imitation of models of classical Greco-Roman antiquity and application of ideas of humanism.

Classical Antiquity

  • The Latin language was universal, but interest in national languages also arose (“Gramatica Castellana” by Nebrija and “Dialogue of the Tongue” by Valdes). Italians: Dante’s Divine Comedy, Petrarch’s “The Songbook,” and Boccaccio’s “The Decameron.”)

Humanism

  • Cultural movement based on anthropocentrism. Study of “Studia Humanitatis” (the study of humanities) divided into Trivium (grammar, rhetoric, and dialectic) and Quadrivium (arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy). The perfection of man (Courtier) consists of the balance of all abilities.

Other Features

  • Presence of nature as an expression of perfection and order: Platonic view and decoration as a background frame to enjoy.
  • Optimistic view of life: there is idealism (man trusts in human beings).
  • Confidence in the power of reason (Rationalism) to explain the universe and know the truth, the idea of progress both materially and morally.
  • Balance and Containment: beauty is based on classical harmony and balance, serenity, and beauty in containment.
  • Philosophy: Neoplatonism (beauty of beings as a reflection of divine beauty), Epicureanism (pleasure and enjoyment of life), Stoicism (exalts human dignity and living according to the natural order).

The Renaissance and Urban Culture

Cities experienced significant economic and cultural development. The streets were filled with bourgeois, nobles, traders… all sorts of people in search of an easier life. There were different types of people:

  • The humanistic grammarian worked as a teacher and secretary in the cities, increasing social prestige.
  • The Count: noble or wealthy bourgeois who protected poets and artists in an era in which culture increased the reputation of whoever promoted it.
  • The Courtier: noble who lived at court and knew how to unite “the pen with the sword.”

Important Humanists of Spain

  • Antonio de Nebrija: Taught grammar at Salamanca and was linked with the University of Alcalá. He wrote “Gramatica Castellana,” a “spelling book,” and a “dictionary.”
  • Juan Luis Vives: Worked at universities such as Oxford, Paris, etc. Wrote in Latin on religious, moral, and other topics.

Literary Themes

  • Resurgence of classic themes: CARPE DIEM (seize the moment), Colligan, VIRGO, ROSAS (includes maiden roses), Golden Mean (the happy mediocrity), Beatus Ille (longing to find peace and harmony), Locus Amoenus (bucolic).
  • Fundamental theme: LOVE. Idealized women were seen as goddesses due to their beauty (platonic love).
  • Important theme: NATURE. Nature was used as a framework for feelings of fullness and sadness (locus amoenus).
  • Remarkable presence of mythology in all poetry, serving an aesthetic ornamental purpose.

The Ascetical and Mystical

  • Asceticism is a part of mysticism that provides a series of rules of conduct to be followed to achieve perfection and save one’s soul. Example: Luis de Granada.
  • Mysticism tries to convey the supernatural experience of contact with God. There are three ways to reach God:
  1. Via Purgative: The soul is cleansed through prayer.
  2. Via Illumination: Once the soul is clean, it can ascend.
  3. Via of Union: Union with God, the Supreme Being and creator of the universe.

Authors of the Renaissance Lyric

  • Garcilaso de la Vega: Wrote 1 epistle, 2 elegies, 3 eclogues, 4 songs, and 40 sonnets. Garcilaso’s poetry is educated and full of metaphors. Its main theme is LOVE.
  • Fray Luis de León: His themes include the helplessness of man on Earth (Ode of the Ascension), the yearning for a peaceful, retired life in the countryside (Ode to a Retired Life), and prefiguring the life of heaven (Ode to Salinas).
  • San Juan de la Cruz: “Spiritual Canticle,” “Dark Night of the Soul,” and “Living Flame of Love.” He tried to communicate his mystical experiences.

Narrative Genres

  1. Chivalric Romance: The adventures of a knight in love with a faithful lady. The gentleman, who embodies good and vanquishes evil, undertakes long journeys, faces trials, and encounters supernatural elements. One of the most important novels of chivalry was Amadis of Gaul (published in Zaragoza in 1508).
  2. Pastoral Novel: Introduces pastoralism in prose. Follows the ideal of “platonic love.” The most important works are: “The Seven Books of Diana” by Jorge Montemayor, “La Diana Enamorada,” “La Galatea” by Cervantes, and “Arcadia” by Lope de Vega.
  3. Moorish Novel: Based on frontier ballads. Its theme is fictional adventures between Arabs and Christians during the Reconquista. Works: “The Abencerraje,” which includes the story of “Abindarraez and the Beautiful Jarifa,” and “Guzman Alfarache” by Mateo Alemán.
  4. Byzantine Novel: Arises from the translation of the Greek story “Theagenes and Chariclea.” Works: “The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda” by Cervantes and “The Pilgrim in his Homeland” by Lope de Vega.
  5. Picaresque Novel: “Lazarillo de Tormes” is the first work of this genre. It focuses on the character of the rogue. Shows life realistically, as it was at that time. Critical of the clergy and nobility. The Church had immense power, and religion was the foundation of society.