Spanish Renaissance: Literature and Society in the 16th Century
Characteristics of the Renaissance Period
The 16th century saw the rise of a cultural and philosophical movement that focused on humanism and a renewed interest in the Greco-Roman past. This movement, known as the Renaissance, aimed to guide humanity towards modernity, leaving behind the perceived stagnation of the Middle Ages.
Historical Context
The Renaissance arrived in Spain during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs. It coincided with the discovery of America, which significantly influenced Spanish life and culture.
Renaissance Society and Culture
The Renaissance challenged the rigid social stratification of the previous era, leading to the rise of the bourgeoisie. This new class, along with the influence of Humanism, brought about a shift in mentality. Theocentric views were replaced by anthropocentric ones. The bourgeoisie embraced art, the pleasures of life, and a new approach to art and literature. The focus shifted from the didacticism of the Middle Ages to the pursuit of beauty and the appreciation of nature.
Lyrical Poetry
Renaissance lyrical poetry can be divided into two periods:
The First Renaissance Lyric
This period continued with established traditions while also incorporating Italianate lyricism. Key themes included idealized nature (often depicted as a *locus amoenus*, a pleasant place), mythology (used to exemplify personal experiences, express admiration for classical texts, and embellish poems), and love (particularly Platonic love). The style favored hendecasyllabic and heptasyllabic verses, and popular forms included the sonnet, the *silva*, and the *lira*.
The Second Renaissance Lyric
Mystical Poetry: This genre focused on religious themes, viewing poetry as a means to know God. Poets expressed their spiritual experiences, accessible only to those who renounced earthly desires and prepared for an encounter with the divine. Common themes included the search for God. The *lira* was the preferred metric form. The style was simple, employing metaphors and other rhetorical figures.
Narrative
Idealist Novel
This type of novel featured protagonists from the aristocracy who embodied models of perfection. The main subgenres were:
- Pastoral Novel: Set in idealized natural settings, these novels revolved around noble shepherds who expressed their joys and sorrows of love.
- Romance of Chivalry: These tales recounted the improbable adventures of knights fighting in remote locations against all kinds of fantastic beings.
Realist Novel
The realist novel emerged as a social necessity and a reaction against the idealist novel. It portrayed contemporary society, serving as both entertainment and social critique. The picaresque novel is a prime example.
- Picaresque Novel: This genre began with the publication of *Lazarillo de Tormes* in 1554. Its characteristics include a humble protagonist, the rogue, who is forced into a life of crime due to need and hunger. The rogue aspires to improve their social position. The narrative is presented as an autobiography, has a moralizing intention, and offers a critical view of society.
Lazarillo de Tormes
*Lazarillo de Tormes* is the quintessential example of the picaresque novel. Its authorship remains uncertain. The protagonist, Lazaro, is of humble origin and embodies the anti-hero archetype due to his morally questionable actions. The novel features his various masters, representing different social classes, whom Lazaro criticizes.
The novel consists of a prologue and seven treatises. It is presented as a confession and is autobiographical, narrating Lazaro’s personal evolution and loss of childhood innocence. It employs simple language and humor.
The Modern Novel: Don Quixote de la Mancha
Authored by Miguel de Cervantes, *Don Quixote* was published in the early 17th century in two parts: the first in 1605 and the second in 1615. It tells the story of an elderly gentleman from La Mancha who loses his sanity after reading too many books of chivalry and believing them to be true.
- Part One (52 chapters) describes Don Quixote’s first two sallies.
- First Sally: Covering the first six chapters, Don Quixote is knighted, much to the disapproval of his acquaintances.
- Second Sally: Chapters 7 to 52 detail the adventures of the knight and his squire.
- Part Two (74 chapters) continues the adventures, but Don Quixote eventually regains his senses, renounces knighthood, and dies.
The novel parodies the themes of chivalry, contrasting idealism (represented by Don Quixote) with realism (represented by Sancho Panza). Apart from the two protagonists, the other characters serve as a chorus, highlighting the contrast between master and servant.
The key features of the modern novel, as exemplified by *Don Quixote*, are realism (grounded in everyday experience), dynamism (characters evolve), perspective (multiple points of view are presented), and verisimilitude (a blend of fact and fiction).