Tirant lo Blanc: A Critical Analysis
1. Martorell’s Early Attempts in Literature
William of Varoic, episode 1, is a mix of Guy of Warwick and the book of Ramon Llull, Llibre de l’orde de cavalleria. Wilhelm Varoic, he did not mind (Wilhelm Varoic) saying to make the life of a hermit. The second work, Flower of Chivalry, is like the battle between St. Michael and the rebel angels.
2. Influence of Guy of Warwick
The first part of Tirant lo Blanc is a small introduction and summary of the legend of Guy of Warwick. Two important influences are the military and the amorous.
3. Evolution of the Novel’s Form
First, novels were written in medieval verse. In the 13th century, they described fictional stories and embellished and exaggerated them. In the 14th-15th centuries, novels transitioned from verse to prose.
4. The Figure of the Knight-Errant
The novel features the figure of the knight-errant and the concept of adventure.
5. Is Tirant a Novel?
Yes, as it has a storyline that is chained to a series of histories of invented characters who just happen to work in the described world.
6. When Was It Written and to Whom Was It Dedicated?
January 2, 1460, a year before Martorell’s death. It was dedicated to Prince Ferdinand of Portugal, an expectant king and devoted to him. He was a true knight-errant, was to cross. This prince was a candidate for the throne of nutrition. Joanot is likely to be familiar with the exploits of Ferdinand when in Portugal.
7. When Was It Published and What Became of the Manuscript?
Martorell came from a noble life and wanted to live like a gentleman, but ended up as a robber. When he finished the manuscript, he pledged it to his neighbor, Joan de Galba. Martorell died shortly after, and the following year, Galba printed the manuscript and said it was his.
8. Chivalry in the 15th Century
Chivalry is a system that includes an ethical imaginary from the practice of generosity to combat or dealing with ladies. When the knight-errant of the 12th century did not exist in reality, it was a model of behavior that existed in literature. The prototype was developed in the novel’s space. In the 15th century, this horse is a real source of pride, belonging to a group of distinguished individuals who make games of love and deeds. The horse becomes a life experience through its battles in wars, putting this knowledge into practice. Honor, fame, or material rewards are very important.
9. Chronicles
On average, chronicles formed nations. The nation feels a sense of human literature and tries to produce that sentiment. The chronicles cause this feeling. The authors have often seen these stories but write them later for subsequent generations. The chronicles are very important because people who study language use their evolution. The chronicle of Ramon Llull was one of the texts that most influenced Tirant. The chronicles are written so future generations can take examples and mirror themselves. Past historical events of the past and future-oriented political realm. Memory and example are basic components of chronicles. Martorell copied Muntaner’s chronicles, taking tour dates, locations, and names of characters, and filling them in.
10. Techniques to Make Fiction Seem Real
Martorell removed techniques from Muntaner’s chronicle that seem true. Geography: The novel Lescar is realistic, although it has invented names. Anthroponyms of the novel: There are names of characters who are real. Personalities of the characters: Traits of the life of the historian are transplanted into their characters. Detail, precision, enumerations, abuse, and unrealistic figures. Parliaments: The characters (lifestyle) seem to transcribe quotes. Side-characters (spies, traitors) and collectives (Genoese, Turks) that branch out and enrich the basic plot of the novel. Internal time consistency.
11. Why Is Tirant a False Chronicle?
Martorell invented the story from his imagination, removing the bad things that happen in real life to make it fit. The brace does not exist but is based on Muntaner’s chronicle. In Tirant, the story of the knight-errant from a medieval narrative tradition is no longer subtle, but a script is presented as a biographical and historical event. Therefore, Tirant‘s story is a novel and fiction.
12. What Historical Character Served as a Model for Martorell’s Tirant?
The most direct reference is Roger de Flor, from Muntaner’s chronicle. He passed to Constantinople from Sicily to fight the Turks. Two is a traitor who betrayed a plot against them. Both have important positions thanks to the emperor. Both marry a woman of royal blood and die in Andrinople.
13. Tirant, a Novel Engaged with Society
With Tirant lo Blanc, Martorell achieved in the novel’s space what everyone dreamed of in the second half of the 15th century but no one had decided to implement. Tirant will make every effort, using his staff and talent, to serve the military ideals of Christianity. In reality, the Turks were in the Greek Empire, and Tirant performed the radical expulsion of all Turks and recovered Constantinople for Christendom.
14. Utopia and Disappointment in Tirant
One does not exclude the other, but probably the extreme utopia is a reaction to the critical, realistic, and disillusioned observation of military life today. The ideal that Martorell believed in did not accompany reality. The ideal of chivalrous ethics was lost but won in aesthetics.
15. Martorell’s Doubts About His Protagonist’s Heroism
Martorell questions Tirant’s heroism because, despite giving an image of being a leading character who takes life in the novel under the treaty of chivalry, he gave more fiction to his character. For example, in the Byzantine Empire, during Tirant’s liberation, Tirant is a hero, but then he dies from a virus. Martorell makes it so that Tirant is not the ideal of chivalry, bearing faults and improper behavior for a knight-errant.
16. Chivalric Novel
Martorell’s purpose is to provide the biography of an imaginary knight. The knight’s feats of imagination are very important, and he must have knowledge and chivalrous learning. We can observe in the early chapters that Tirant is taught by William of Varoic. Tirant does not resemble the Castilian books of chivalry. Tirant lacks wonderful elements, has very strong and brave actors, actions occur in known lands at a time and in a near immediate environment.