16th Century Spanish Literature: Genres and Evolution

16th Century Spanish Narrative

The prose narrative of the 16th century cannot be defined as the modern novel. Originating in Italy, it encompassed short stories, novels, and imitations of Cervantes. New genres emerged, such as the pastoral narrative, akin to lyrical poetry. A notable example is The Seven Books of the Diana by Jorge de Montemayor.

A unique genre was the Moorish-themed narrative, featuring the figure of the Moor, sometimes in tolerant coexistence with Christians. The anonymous Abencerraje and the Beautiful Jarifa is a prime example. These were not realistic depictions of Moorish life but idealized portrayals, similar to pastoral narratives. Francisco Delicado, author of the rich Andalusian work akin to La Celestina, stands out. The masterpiece of this century is Lazarillo de Tormes.

16th Century Spanish Theater

Theatrical development in Castilian showed significant growth during the 16th century. Authors paved the way for a more evolved stage. Gil Vicente, a Portuguese writer who also wrote in Castilian, alternated between religious and secular works. In the latter half of the 16th century, theater consolidated, despite the Inquisition banning numerous printed plays.

The Greco-Roman theatrical model promoted in universities and colleges influenced Castilian theater. The Italian comedy tradition also played a role, impacting authors like Lope de Rueda. He wrote prose comedies modeled on Italian works, incorporating comical elements and short, unrelated comic pieces. Rueda integrated folklore elements like proverbs, jokes, and tales. His most common pieces, known as pasos, focused on love, with women often as central figures.

Lazarillo de Tormes (LDT)

Lazarillo de Tormes first appeared in 1554, achieving remarkable success before being banned. The exact composition date is unknown, though historical references exist within the text. The author remains anonymous, with various attributions.

Sources, Structure, and Style

Many elements of Lazarillo derive from folk tradition. Anecdotes, like the sausage episode, are common in popular lore. The blind man and the squire are traditional characters. These anecdotes gain new significance within a larger, purposeful structure.