17th Century Spanish Literature: Prose, Genres, and Quevedo

Didactic Prose

Didactic prose answers the intention of approaching pedagogical works. Several types can be distinguished:

Doctrinal Prose

Doctrinal prose writings are reflective, of a philosophical type. Its maximum representative is Baltasar Gracián, characterized by verbal wit, precision, and expressive rigor. He pursued concision and reached a hermetic language aimed at a cultured minority. His work answers an intention to seek a doctrinal model of a person able to overcome vices. The most important works are: The Hero, The Art of Worldly Wisdom, The Art of Prudence, and The Mind's Acuity and Art of Ingenuity.

Philological Prose

Classical works of this period are:

• Sebastián de Covarrubias: authored the Treasury of the Castilian or Spanish Language.
• Bernardo Aldrete

Pulpit Oratory

Pulpit oratory intended to show religious doctrines, defend, and strengthen the faith. The oratories receive the generic name of sermons. Fray Hortensio Félix Paravicino represents the pinnacle of the Baroque. His sacred oratory sermons were collected in his Evangelical Prayers and posthumous works of God and man.

Prose Fiction

The Picaresque Novel

The picaresque novels of this second era have certain distinctive features concerning Lazarillo. Works like Guzmán de Alfarache, by Mateo Alemán, and El Buscón, by Francisco de Quevedo, the novel takes on a more moralizing or satirical tone. Burlesque scenes are present, and there is less realistic psychological introspection. In them, brilliance, wit, and ingenuity are evident, and the justification of the character is ignored.

• The protagonist remains an anti-hero.
• Dishonor disappears.
• The Awful Justina has a clear moral drive.

The Lucianesque Story

The Lucianesque story arises from the realism characteristic of the picaresque novel. It incorporates magical elements and develops fantasy, but not without the intention of maintaining morality and worldview.

The Short Story

The short story is usually located in big cities and features characters of the upper classes. The plot revolves around love and honor. The woman begins to take an active part in the amorous adventure. Notable authors include Alonso Castillo Solórzano (Fun Evenings) and María de Zayas (Amorous and Exemplary Novels).

The Byzantine Novel

In the Byzantine novel, lovers are forced to separate in an endless adventure. After meeting again, their love is reinforced. The Pilgrim in His Homeland, by Lope de Vega, and The Trials of Persiles and Sigismunda, by Miguel de Cervantes, are examples of this genre.

The Celestina Novel

The Celestina novel is a type of dialogue-based novel based on the tradition of loving the topics of La Celestina. It shows the influence of servants and pimps.

Quevedo's Prose

Picaresque Novel

El Buscón is the only novel by Quevedo. He introduces some changes in the conception of the picaresque novel of the previous epoch.

Moral-Satirical Works

In Dreams, Quevedo satirizes society. Time and Fortune with Brains begins with a mythological fantasy.

Political Works

Quevedo dedicated a large part of his literary production to politics. His work grew very diverse. The Politics of God, the Government of Christ, and the Tyranny of Satan is an extensive treaty. Quevedo uses evangelical allegory to express his theories. Marcus Brutus is a political-moral commentary approving the crime against Julius Caesar, who represented tyranny against the republic.

Philosophical and Ascetic Works

The influence of Seneca is notable in Quevedo's work. In Remedies for Any Fortune, he translates Seneca's work and adds his comments to the Senecan philosophy. The Cradle and the Grave is a treatise of ascetic tone in which Quevedo reflects on the effect of life and death.

Religious Works

Quevedo wrote two lives of saints: Life of Saint Thomas of Villanueva and Life of Saint Paul.

Festive Works

These are short satirical works that cultivate humor and wit to ridicule all forms of affairs. Notable examples include Needle to Navigate Cultured Latiniparlas.