The Mester de Clerecía in 13th & 14th Century Spanish Literature
The Mester de Clerecía in the 13th Century
Overview
The concept of the Mester de Clerecía better fits the works of this genre from the 13th to the 14th centuries, which differ significantly from earlier models in both form and ideology.
Key Works of the 13th Century
- Libro de Alexandre: An anonymous narrative, potentially attributed to Gonzalo de Berceo, about the life of Alexander the Great. This extensive work blends scholarly elements with literary references and aims to demonstrate God’s control over human destiny.
- Libro de Apolonio: A romantic tale filled with intrigue and adventure, centered around Apollonius, King of Tyre.
- Poema de Fernán González: A verse adaptation of a lost epic poem about the exploits of the first independent Count of Castile.
Gonzalo de Berceo
Gonzalo de Berceo is the earliest known Spanish author. His works primarily focus on religious subjects, often promoting his religious order and monastery.
Notable Works
Berceo’s notable works include hagiographies like Vida de San Millán, Vida de Santo Domingo, and Vida de Santa Oria. These narratives typically follow a pattern: the saint’s biography, miracles performed during their life, and miracles after their death.
Milagros de Nuestra Señora
Berceo’s most famous work is Milagros de Nuestra Señora, a collection of stories about the Virgin Mary’s miraculous interventions. Adapted from Latin sources, Berceo’s version incorporates his unique style and language, including an allegorical introduction.
The Mester de Clerecía in the 14th Century
Evolution of the Genre
The Mester de Clerecía continued into the 14th century but underwent significant transformations. While the cuaderna vía verse form remained, the content expanded beyond transmitting clerical values and knowledge to encompass more diverse and complex themes.
Key Works of the 14th Century
- Rimado de Palacio: Written by Pero López de Ayala, a prominent political figure, this work offers a pessimistic and conservative perspective on political, moral, and religious issues.
- Proverbios morales: Authored by Rabbi Sem Tob de Carrión, this work’s moral content draws from Jewish tradition. Its metrical form represents an evolution of the cuaderna vía, with rhymes extending beyond the end of verses.
- Libro de buen amor: Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita’s masterpiece, is a complex and multifaceted work. It presents a fictionalized autobiography of the Archpriest, interwoven with various literary materials.
Contents of the Libro de buen amor
The Libro de buen amor incorporates a wide range of literary elements:
- Enxiemplos: Fables and stories used to illustrate arguments within the narrative.
- Adaptation of Ovid’s Ars Amandi: Offering advice on courtship and seduction.
- Adaptation of the Latin comedy Pamphilus: Inspiring the love story of Don Melón de la Huerta and Doña Endrina.
- Satires: Including critiques of wealth and parodies of other genres, such as the burlesque epic battle between Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma.
- Lyric Poetry: Featuring both religious and love poems, including those related to the Archpriest’s affairs.
Metrical Variety
While primarily employing the cuaderna vía, Juan Ruiz varies the syllable count of hemistiches and incorporates other verse forms typical of lyric poetry, adding to the book’s metrical diversity.