Defining Features of Medieval Culture and Thought

Cultural Characteristics of the Medieval Period

1. Theocentricism: The Centrality of the Church

The Church was the sole institution holding knowledge during the Middle Ages. It directed nearly all aspects of life, including religion, education, and literature. Monasteries housed the only libraries and books, often kept in the scriptorium.

• Book Production: Books were expensive, typically made of leather. Reading was rare and often restricted.
• Church Authority: The Church's authority was undisputed, largely because it controlled access to books and learning. This privilege began to diminish with the Renaissance, as the number of printed books multiplied.

Literary Features and Authority

Medieval literature began to develop with religious themes, although the liturgy of the Mass remained in Latin. Sermons, however, sometimes included small Castilian moral tales (called exempla). Some collections, like the Book of Exempla, were preserved. Jewish clerics (alfagíes) also maintained their own artistic traditions.

2. Hierarchization and Anonymity

Medieval thought was highly disciplinarian; all human life was regulated. This period preserved lasting legends from antiquity.

The Role of Anonymity

Anonymity was a defining characteristic of medieval literature because craftsmen were not considered artists. Originality and aesthetic value were not prioritized; instead, there was a strong commitment to norms and traditions, even in work, which was developed through guilds to prevent innovation.

The Argument from Authority

The lack of critical sense was reinforced by the principle of "Magister dixit" (the master has spoken), or the argument from authority. This prevented the expression of personal opinions. A critical sense only began to emerge during the Renaissance, fueled by the multiplication and advancement of printed books.

3. Didacticism and Oral Transmission

Medieval literature was fundamentally didactic, which explains why certain books had a huge audience. Reading was often done aloud, not silently, meaning the text was shared using the voice. This reflects an older reliance on hearing over reading.

• Oral Tradition: Much of medieval literature, especially popular literature, relied on oral transmission. Minstrels memorized epics and repeated them for their audience.
• Teaching Value: Medieval literature had a strong teaching value because its audience was often uneducated and illiterate.

Language Development and Alfonso X

Clerics played a role in developing the vulgar language and literature. Since the vulgar languages initially lacked abstract words, concepts were often expressed using periphrasis and "medievalizations." Didactic genres, such as tales used to teach noble court behavior, abounded.

King Alfonso X the Wise was instrumental in advancing science and introducing the vulgar language (Castilian) into scholarly works. Although scientific discussion and official documents during his reign were often in Latin, Alfonso X composed his astronomy and mineralogy books entirely in Castilian. He also wrote historical works and a legal treatise called the Siete Partidas (Seven Parts), which was divided into seven sections and bore his name for centuries.