Medieval & 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 MoreThe Book of Good Love: A 14th-Century Masterpiece
Mester of the Clergy
The Book of Good Love, by Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita, represents a significant work of the 14th-century clergy. It showcases important shifts in the literary landscape. The work breaks from the traditional uniformity of verse structure, incorporating diverse poetic forms and religious content. This gives way to a strong sense of realism, evident in both the cheerful satire of Juan Ruiz and the social criticism of López de Ayala.
The Intent of Juan Ruiz
Little is known about
Read MoreCatalan Literature: Humanism and Chivalry
1. Humanism: Bernat Metge
Medieval culture transitioned with the emergence of Humanism. Ausiàs March contributed with Catalan poetry, and chivalric novels marked a turning point.
Humanism is the cultural movement that emerged in Europe at the end of the Middle Ages, characterized by:
- Revaluation of Greco-Roman antiquity.
- A new attitude towards life, valuing human beings (anthropocentrism).
Italian cities were the cradle of Humanism, with authors like Dante (Divine Comedy), Petrarch (Sonnets to Laura)
Read More15th & 16th Century Spanish Literature: Pre-Renaissance to Renaissance
15th Century: Pre-Renaissance
History and Society
Castile began the 15th century marked by civil wars, dynastic conflicts, and peasant revolts. The Trastámara dynasty eventually led to the union of Castile and Aragon under the Catholic Monarchs, establishing a centralized monarchy. Their reign saw the decline of feudalism, control over the nobility and church, the completion of the Reconquista in 1492, the expulsion of the Jews, and the establishment of the Inquisition.
Tensions arose between different
Read MoreSpanish Novel Evolution (1939-1960s): From Exile to Experimentation
Spanish Novel Evolution (1939-1960s)
The Novel in Exile (Post-Civil War)
The Spanish Civil War and subsequent period of international isolation led to a distressing cultural situation, marked by censorship and the exile of writers. Authors who left Spain after the war, including prominent figures of the 1920s and 30s, continued their literary work abroad. Their styles evolved, sometimes influenced by the literature of their adopted countries. Their narratives often explored intellectual and ethical
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