Spanish Literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance
Spanish Literature: Middle Ages and Renaissance
Medieval Literature
Many of these features are influenced by historical, social, ideological, or cultural factors. The transmission of texts was primarily oral, leading to many anonymous works closely tied to the sense of community and tradition. Many works of Castilian literature display a sharp realism. The desire to moralize and teach is typical of many authors. Medieval didacticism favors genres that serve to teach and educate (stories, parables, allegories). In Galician lyric poetry and courtly cancioneros, the female figure holds a central role.
Among the most frequent topics are religious themes, the theme of death, the theme of capricious fortune and its influence on the world, issues relating to the heroic and chivalrous, and the theme of love. Our literature is nourished by influences such as Arabic and Eastern, French, Italian, and Classical, which are particularly accentuated in its final stretch.
Courtly Love
Courtly love led to the development of troubadour poetry and had an enormous influence. It follows very rigid formal patterns in both conduct and language.
- The poet sings his love to a beautiful and noble lady.
- The lady is inaccessible.
- Courtly love does not seek marriage but rather adultery.
- The poet normally finds himself in despair or frustration.
- Troubadour poetry uses eroticism as a religious language and mythology. The lady is divine and described as a goddess, compared with the stars, the sun, etc.
Courtly love introduced a pagan concept of love into medieval society. Love is a passion born from innate admiration for the beauty of another. Love is a passion that ennobles the lover. During the Middle Ages, courtly love influenced Galician-Portuguese, Catalan, and Italian lyric poetry. It reached Castile in the 15th century and its presence in the future Renaissance is very important.
The Renaissance
Social and Cultural Context
The Renaissance is a profound and complex transformation of human culture that manifests in all aspects of life. It consists of a return to the artistic, literary, and philosophical ideals of the Greco-Roman world.
Origin of the Renaissance
- In the late Middle Ages, the bourgeoisie gained paramount importance. Dedicated to crafts or trade, they generated economic prosperity and an optimistic view of life.
- In Italy, cities like Venice, Florence, Milan, Naples, and the Papal States acted as patrons of artists.
- Fifteenth-century Italian culture inherited the monumental work of three geniuses: Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio.
- The discovery of the printing press allowed for the rapid diffusion of new ideas.
Humanism
Humanism was an intellectual and cultural movement that originated in Italy in the 14th century.
Characteristics of Humanism
- They studied classical languages and literature: Greek and Latin.
- They used classic models, which justifies the constant recurrence of mythology, pastoral, or bucolic themes in literature and art.
- They were interested in everything relating to man and his dignity.
- Rationalism and individualism were two key aspects of an era where man was at the heart of the new scale of values.
- This was an era open to life, beauty, love, and happiness. There was a greater appreciation for the vernacular.
Religious Background
At the end of the Middle Ages, the Church was undergoing a deep religious crisis. In Rome, the upper echelons of power were concerned only with raising money through taxes or indulgences and led a less than exemplary life. Reform movements were evident throughout Europe. Some remained within religious orthodoxy, while others led to the Reformation. Its main architect was Martin Luther, who caused the most important schism in the Middle Ages.
Erasmianism
Erasmianism was a religious and spiritual movement spread by the Dutchman Erasmus of Rotterdam (1469-1536), whose doctrines and ideas were highly influential. His most outstanding works include the translation of the Gospels, The Handbook of the Christian Knight, and The Praise of Folly. He taught in several European countries.
- Erasmianism advocated a return to inner spirituality and a purer faith.
- Desiderius Erasmus harshly criticized the clergy and religious orders for their abuses.
- He advocated religious tolerance and attached importance to secular Christianity.
- It struck a blow to the political and economic power of the Church.
The doctrines of Erasmus soon reached Spain, where they were defended by Cardinal Cisneros, who promoted the production and publication of the Complutensian Polyglot Bible at the University of Alcalá de Henares. Charles V was protective of his ideas during the early years of his rule. In the decades after 1530, there was a sharp reaction. The Inquisition persecuted his publications and initiated proceedings against Erasmians.