Spanish Renaissance Literature: A Golden Age
History and Society
Charles I (1st Half of the 16th Century)
Son of Juana la Loca (who inherited Castile and Aragon) and Philip the Fair (who inherited the Netherlands), Charles I became Emperor appointed by the Pope. His arrival in Spain brought a strong humanistic culture, marking the assimilation of humanism into Spanish society. The discovery of America shifted trade from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic.
Philip II (2nd Half of the 16th Century)
The Lutheran movement expanded, leading to Protestantism.
Read MoreMedieval & Renaissance Poetry: From Troubadours to Humanism
Troubadour Poetry and Latin Verse (9th-12th Centuries)
Religious and Secular Latin Poetry
During the Middle Ages, Latin held a prominent place alongside vernacular languages in religious and secular poetry. From the 9th to the 12th centuries, a significant portion of poetry was dedicated to the Church. However, a form of Latin lyrical realism also existed, thanks to the Goliardos (clerics who compiled poems and songbooks).
Lyrical and Popular Traditional Romance
Evidence suggests a vibrant tradition
Read More18th-Century Spanish Literature: From Baroque to Enlightenment
18th-Century Spanish Literature
The Enlightenment
The 18th-century literary movement was based on empiricism and rationalism. Enlightened despotism was practiced, advocating for the elimination of privileges for the clergy and aristocracy. Political power became secular and independent of religious influence.
The Enlightenment in Spain
This period saw significant French influence. While moderate, several factors favored the development of the Enlightenment in Spain.
Language and Literature
Clarity was
Read MoreA Journey Through Western Literature: From Hebrew Bible to Italian Renaissance
Hebrew Literature
The Bible
The Bible, a cornerstone of Western culture, embodies core moral sensitivities and a worldview primarily written in Hebrew, with some Aramaic fragments. The New Testament, however, appears entirely in Greek. Derived from the Latin word for book (Biblia, from Greek), the Bible comprises the sacred texts of Jewish and Christian religions. The Old Testament details God’s covenant with Israel, while the New Testament focuses on Jesus’ covenant with humanity.
Key Books of the
Read MoreMedieval & Renaissance Spanish Literature: A Journey Through Time
1. Medieval Literature
In the early Middle Ages, Romance languages evolved from Latin. Written Romance was rare, primarily used in monasteries. Germanic languages influenced epic narratives, lyrics, and dramas, spread through oral tradition by minstrels. Literature emphasized love, religion, and war, themes reflected in didactic art (sculpture, painting) of feudal society.
2. Mester de Juglaría
In the largely illiterate, rural society, minstrels entertained with oral literary creations, using songs,
Read MoreThe Evolution of Castilian Prose and Poetry
The Beginnings of Castilian Prose
Until the reign of Alfonso X, Castilian was considered suitable only for oral communication in informal contexts, while Latin was the language of scholars. Early examples of Castilian glosses are found in the monasteries of Santo Domingo de Silos (Burgos) and San Millán de la Cogolla (La Rioja), both dating back to the 10th century. These are short notes in Castilian that translate Latin passages, which even then were difficult to understand. Around 1250, translations
Read More