Spanish Literature: Medieval Period to Baroque Era
Spanish Literature: From the Medieval Period to the Baroque Era
Cantigas and Mester de Juglaría
Cantigas “de amigo”: A woman laments the absence of her beloved. Cantigas “de escarnio”: Satirical poems that poke fun at a particular character.
Mester de Juglaría: A form of literature disseminated orally by *juglares*, entertainers who amused audiences with their performances. Troubadours were key figures, spreading epic poems—long narratives composed of irregular lines, recounting the heroic deeds of historical figures.
Poema del Mio Cid
Poema del Mio Cid, composed around the 12th century (not the 7th), consists of 3730 irregular verses grouped into *tiradas* (runs). The central theme is the loss and recovery of the Cid’s honor. It is structured into three *cantares* (songs):
- Cantar del Destierro (Song of Exile): The Cid is exiled by King Alfonso.
- Cantar de las Bodas (Song of the Weddings): The Cid conquers Valencia and his daughters marry noblemen.
- Cantar de la Afrenta de Corpes (Song of the Corpes Affront): The Cid seeks justice for his daughters after they are mistreated by their husbands.
Mester de Clerecía
Mester de Clerecía: Emerged in the 13th century (not the 12th), this clerical form of literature favored religious themes, such as the lives of saints and the Virgin Mary. It employed regular meter (cuaderna vía), with verses divided into hemistiches.
Key Authors of the Medieval Period
- Gonzalo de Berceo: The most prestigious author of the *Mester de Clerecía*, known for *Milagros de Nuestra Señora* (Miracles of Our Lady).
- Juan Ruiz, Arcipreste de Hita: Author of *El Libro de Buen Amor* (The Book of Good Love), a complex work exploring the nature of love, featuring autobiographical accounts, exemplary stories, and satirical texts.
- Don Juan Manuel: Author of *El Conde Lucanor* (Count Lucanor), a collection of didactic tales, often featuring animals.
- Jorge Manrique: Wrote *Coplas por la Muerte de su Padre* (Verses on the Death of His Father), a 40-stanza poem of *pie quebrado* (broken foot) divided into three parts, reflecting on life, death, and fame.
Romances and La Celestina
Romances: Anonymous poems of variable length, composed of eight-syllable verses with assonant rhyme, transmitted orally. They are categorized as epic, historical, or lyrical.
La Celestina: Written by Fernando de Rojas, born in Toledo. The author’s stated intent is to warn against the dangers of passionate love. The plot revolves around Calisto’s infatuation with Melibea, his use of the matchmaker Celestina to win her over, and the tragic consequences that follow.
The Renaissance
The First Golden Age. Key poets include Garcilaso de la Vega, San Juan de la Cruz, and Fray Luis de León. Miguel de Cervantes is a prominent figure in prose.
- Garcilaso de la Vega: A nobleman, poet, and soldier, he adapted Italian metrics to Spanish verse. His mastery allowed him to express his feelings effectively. Notable works include three eclogues and 38 sonnets.
- Fray Luis de León: From a *converso* family, he studied at Salamanca, where he became a professor of theology and a philologist. His poetry has a religious character.
- San Juan de la Cruz: A Carmelite friar, he wrote mystical poetry, exploring the three *vías* (purgative, illuminative, and unitive).
The Baroque
The 17th-century cultural movement, characterized by exaggeration, contrast, pessimism, and disillusionment. Key figures include:
- Poetry: Quevedo and Góngora.
- Theater: Lope de Vega and Calderón de la Barca.
- Prose: Quevedo.
The bourgeoisie lost power to the wealthy, and the Spanish Empire began its decline. Prose was expressed in a highly artificial style, cultivating the sonnet (love, religious, metaphysical, and satirical themes).
- Quevedo: Born in Madrid in 1580, he lived in the court. He wrote *El Buscón*, and his poetry encompasses love, moral, and satirical themes.
- Góngora: Born in Córdoba in 1561, he became a priest. His style is characterized by *culteranismo*. He wrote *Soledades* and died in Córdoba in 1627.
Baroque Theater
Characteristics include:
- Division of works into three acts.
- A mixture of tragic and comic elements.
- Breaking of classical rules.
- Variety of meters.
- Poetic decorum.
- Introduction of lyrical elements.
- Lope de Vega: Born in Madrid (1562-1635), he wrote over 1500 works, drawing arguments from history or the Bible. His dramas (of honor or intrigue) are particularly noteworthy.
- Calderón de la Barca: Born in Madrid in 1600, he studied with the Jesuits. His works are divided into four groups: comedies (*La Dama Duende*), *autos sacramentales* (*El Gran Teatro del Mundo*), dramas of honor (*El Alcalde de Zalamea*), and philosophical dramas (*La Vida es Sueño*).