Understanding Novels, Word Formation, Medieval Prose & Theater
Understanding the Novel
Definition: A novel is an extended fictional narrative. It is a text written by an author known to the public.
Characteristics of a Novel
- Length and Complexity: Novels are characterized by their length and complexity.
- Characters: Many characters, which can be flat or round.
- Action: The main story depends on several secondary stories. There is no structure to this chapter.
- Time and Space: Multiple spaces and completeness are needed.
- Narrator: There can be one or more narrators.
How to Write a Novel
- Structure the action.
- Locate the history in time and space.
- Choose the order of the narrative.
Word Formation in Spanish
Derivation
Derivation is adding one or more morphemes to a word. For example, sweet + -isim + -des + cap.
Composition
Composition is joining two or more words, such as cubrir (to cover) + radiador (radiator), out + corks.
Words Formed by Derivation and Composition
This involves joining two or more words and adding a morpheme, such as Latin + America + -year.
Acronyms
Acronyms use initial letters to abbreviate a phrase, such as AVE (Alta Velocidad Española).
Acronymy
Acronymy unites elements of a longer expression to shorten it, such as retevision: ed (editorial) + t (televisión) + e (Española).
Shortening
Shortening reduces the sense of the original word, such as Pei-iPos (Películas-i-Positivas) or movie.
Technical Terms
Technical terms, especially in legal language, often come from Latin and other languages.
Fixed Formulas
Fixed formulas involve the frequent use of certain phrases, often repeating the heading of a sentence.
Conservative and Archaic Syntax
Laws often use outdated styles and contemporary verbal tenses.
Objectivity and Clarity
It is important to avoid ambiguous words or sentences in explanatory texts and conclusions, especially in legal drafting.
Medieval Prose
In Europe
A collection of fables framed as a thread.
- Two collections of outstanding accounts.
- Giovanni Boccaccio wrote the Decameron, presenting models of behavior.
In Spain
Alfonso X the Wise (13th Century)
He ruled the Kingdom of Castile between 1252 and 1284. He formed the Toledo School of Translators.
- Served two goals: to unify Castilian and spread knowledge to everyone.
- Works covered many different subjects.
Don Juan Manuel and The Count Lucanor (14th Century)
He was the nephew of Alfonso X the Wise and demonstrated a modern author’s awareness.
- His work is The Count Lucanor, or Book of Patronio, a collection of fifty-one examples with a common framework.
- His style is clear and concise, aiming to teach through stories.
Fifteenth-Century Prose
Fictional narratives appeared in prose.
- Sentimental Novel: Trips to the description of food. Love cuts: the exaltation of love as a kind of religion.
- Chivalric Novel: Influenced by the Breton cycle. The protagonist is a knight-errant who goes on adventures.
Medieval Theater
Origins
Small pieces represented in churches.
Religious Theater
Usually represented in churches, emphasizing liturgical rites.
- First short dramatic texts inserted into the liturgy; tropes. Songs with dialogue between characters.
- Small liturgical dramas representing an episode of religious history.
Religious-Secular Theater
These are shams and mockery games, comic pieces represented by minstrels.
Celestina
Tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea, by Fernando de Rojas.
- Drama or Novel: A very long work, difficult to perform, associated with humanistic comedy.
- Technical Work: Includes dramatic dialogue and is divided into acts.
- Characters: Bourgeois, servants, matchmakers.