Renaissance Literature: Key Figures and Characteristics

Posted on Feb 20, 2025 in Latin

Renaissance Literature: Characteristics and Key Figures

Exaltation of the Classical World: Recovery of Greco-Roman culture (mythology, classical canon of beauty, proportion, balance, naturally).
Anthropocentrism and Individualism: Sense of security and self-assertion. Man is the greatest achievement of creation, above nature.
Nature: Critical and rational look toward nature.
Religious Spirit: Counter-Reformation and new approaches emerge to renew the religious spirit and behavior. Free interpretation of the Bible and Protestant Reformation question papal authority. The Church responds with the Council of Trent and the Counter-Reformation. Erasmus of Rotterdam and Thomas More represent religious renewal, while Luis Vives shows reluctance against Reform.

Began his career with poetry and courtly love songs.
From 1526, he was influenced by Petrarch.
His work is relatively short: 3 eclogues, 2 elegies, a letter, 5 songs, and 38 sonnets.
Love is the main theme of his work, particularly his love for Isabel Freire.
‘Carpe diem’ is a recurring motif.
His work is characterized by musicality.
He uses soft and melancholy metaphorical language, full of feeling.
Elegance and selection of poetry, passion, and melancholy lyricism characterize his musical and heartfelt style.
Followers of Garcilaso include poets Hurtado de Mendoza, Hernando de Acuña, and Gutierrez de Cetina.

Expression of religious and philosophical beliefs.
Castilian language is capable of conveying humanistic content and high culture.
Outstanding works of Fray Luis de Leon include: The Perfect Wife, Exposition of the Book of Job, and Of the Names of Christ.
Lyric poetry is highly esteemed and well-known in Fray Luis’s work.
His style is harmonious and sweet.
Verses are imbued with a feeling of spontaneity.
His poems showcase scenic thought and great intellect.
His poetical compositions include: Ode to the Retired Life, To Francisco Salinas, To Felipe Ruiz, Serene Night, and Ascension.
Other leading figures of the Salamanca School include Francisco de la Torre, Francisco de Medrano, and Francisco de Aldana.

Two spiritual attitudes: Asceticism and Mysticism. The soul is united to God through three stages: the purgative, illuminative, and unitive.

The Ascetic: A life of struggle and sacrifice. Examples include Fray Luis de Leon and Fray Luis de Granada.
Mysticism: Stages in which the soul is united to God. Two great mystics: St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross.

Strong personality.
Clear ideas on how to practice true Christianity in her day (reform of the Carmelite Order).
Wrote prose works with Erasmian thought.
Expressed lyrical fervor in words and direct, spontaneous religious experience.
Her poems are filled with mystical rapture.

His work is brief but very intense.
Spiritual Canticle: A poem in 40 stanzas.
Employs allegorical images to convey his experience of divine love.
Dark Night of the Soul: The soul begins to move away from all earthly attachment to ascend and unite with God.
Living Flame of Love: Uses symbolic and allegorical language.
Ascent of Mount Carmel: Melodious and passionate words clothed in traditional songs and Italianate poetry.

Poetry that emerged around the capital of Andalusia in the second half of the sixteenth century.

Fernando de Herrera, known as “The Divine,” embraced Mannerism (influenced by Italian literature). He wrote elegies and love sonnets.