Catalan Literary Evolution: From Medieval Golden Age to Enlightenment

15th Century Catalan Literature: A Golden Age

The 14th century, often referred to as the Golden Century, marked a period of significant economic, political, and cultural flourishing in Catalan-speaking territories. In poetry, the shift from Occitan to Catalan became definitive, while prose saw the robust development of the chivalric novel.

Literary modernization was further propelled by the introduction of classical culture and the increasing emergence of the printing press, which facilitated wider readership. Valencia, in particular, became a prominent cultural center during this era.

Pioneering Authors of the 15th Century

• Ausias March: Celebrated as a pioneering figure in Catalan poetry, March's works explored profound themes such as love, pain, and self-awareness. This period also saw a more modern portrayal of women in literature.
• Joanot Martorell: Martorell authored Tirant lo Blanc, often considered the first modern novel. This chivalric novel is notable for its realistic approach, complex structure, well-developed characters, and strong sense of verisimilitude.

16th-18th Centuries: Decline and Literary Shifts

Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Catalan-speaking territories experienced a series of profound political and cultural changes that led to a period of decline. These sociopolitical crises significantly impacted the region:

• The expulsion of the Jews by the Catholic Monarchs (1492).
• The Remença peasant revolts, which failed to resolve agrarian issues and led to a decline in production (1519-1523).
• A period of noble banditry (1530s).
• The Council of Trent (1545).
• The Reapers' War (1640-1652).
• The War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1714).
• The implementation of the Nueva Planta Decrees (1715-1718), which suppressed Catalan institutions.
• The onset of the Napoleonic Wars (1808-1814).

During this era of decline, much of the most significant prose was written in Spanish, reflecting the changing political landscape.

Literary Stages of the Period

Catalan literature of this period can be broadly divided into three distinct stages:

• Renaissance Literature

  This movement championed humanism and adopted classical culture as its primary model, emphasizing reason and human potential.

• Baroque Literature

  Baroque literature often presented a pessimistic worldview, emphasizing the transience of life, the importance of religious spirit, and the omnipresence of death.

• Enlightenment Literature

  During the 18th century, Enlightenment literature showed a growing interest in language and history, reflecting a shift in societal sensibility. Theater became a prominent medium for these new ideas.

Popular Oral Literature

Popular literature, transmitted orally, exists in various versions, is often tied to song and music, and remains largely anonymous. The romance was the most common poetic form. Manifestations of popular literature include folktales and proverbs.