Evolution of Catalan Literature: 18th Century Resilience

S18: Bourbon Suppression

After the succession of Gurria Mon and the enthronement of the Bourbons, the Catalan language was banned and persecuted. Charters, customs, and usages were abolished.

The Enlightenment

Dominated by rationalist ideas of progress and science, literature was primarily didactic and essayistic. Publications included grammatical and historical dictionaries, and catalogs of literary authors.

Poetry

Neoclassicism

Didactic and scholarly, imitating classical forms and themes. Poets also cultivated satirical poetry and narrative (e.g., John the Baptist Escorigüela, Anthony Cardona and February, and Joan Ramis).

Preromanticism

Characterized by a more intimate, subjective, and sentimental style. This led to the early Romantic authors of the 19th century (e.g., Ferreres and Ignacio Antonio Puigblanc).

Prose

Limited due to language suppression, but notable works include:

Comedy of Tales

By Luis Galiana, which satirizes colloquial language use. Narration is rich in sayings, phrases, and rhetorical resources typical of the vernacular.

Tailor-Drawer

By Rafael d'Amat and Cut. A journal where the author describes daily experiences between 1769 and 1816.

Theater

Adhered to Enlightenment ideals: preference for historical and mythological subjects, religious teaching, and moral intent. Joan Lucretia Ramis's work attacked tyranny and defended freedom.

Popular Literature

Popular genres included romaços (narrative poems in assonant rhyme), festive and work-related songs, carols, joys, folk tales, and representations linked to festivals, such as Pastorets, The Song of the Sibyl, Tirisiti, and the Mystery of Elche.

Mystery of Elche

A theatrical representation of the death, assumption, and coronation of Holy Mary. Staged in two acts on August 14th and 15th.

Key Elements

• Characters: The Virgin Mary, saints (St. Peter, angels, God the Father), easily recognizable by attendees.
• Music: Monophonic songs in the first act, polyphonic fragments in the second.
• Text: Combines modern language with archaisms. The anonymous author adapted familiar melodies from liturgical celebrations.