Humanism and Literary Evolution in the 15th Century

The 15th Century: A Cultural Shift

The fifteenth century reflects a profound cultural change: the medieval attitude was replaced by a humanistic perspective, serving as a genuine engine of progress.

Pre-Humanism and Linguistic Influence

The initial influence of humanism introduced a Latinized style to the language, characterized by:

• Sentence complexity: A predominance of long sentences and subordination.
• Semantic precision: Frequent use of roots and administrative technicalities.
• Hyperbaton: Placement of the main verb at the end of the sentence.
• Article usage: Moderate use of articles, mirroring Latin structures.

These features provided solemnity, elegance, and maturity to the literary prose of the era. Ultimately, humanistic influence transformed the language and style of official documents. The Royal Chancery promoted the official language of the people, expanding its use into areas previously dominated by the Latin heritage.

The Humanist Spirit

In the fifteenth century, a new vision of the world, humanity, and culture emerged, distinct from previous societal norms. Humanism is a current of thought that aspires to the progress of humanity based on intrinsic personal values: intelligence, knowledge, and reason. Works from this period often blend humanistic attitudes with medieval ideas, such as The Book of Fortune and Prudence, the sermon, the Apology, and Walter and Griselda.

Narrative Literature

New literary forms emerged, which can be differentiated into:

• Comic and Satirical: These works derided the nobility and religious figures. They were written in a modern style with slight Provençal influence, using alternating octosyllabic and tetrasyllabic verses.
• Chivalrous: These featured fantastic characters set in castles, palaces, and exotic locales, drawing from the long Arthurian historical tradition. They were written in a relatively pure Provençal style using octosyllabic verses.

The Evolution of the Novel

The origin of the novel is placed in the mid-fifteenth century when Giovanni Boccaccio applied this name to the narratives in his Decameron. These stories reflected everyday life, featured credible events, and utilized a language tending toward colloquialism, connecting with immediate reality. The novel evolved in themes and dimensions, culminating in two major works of chivalric literature: Curial e Güelfa and Tirant lo Blanc.

The Chivalric Novel

In the fifteenth century, the chivalric novel transformed by blending the bourgeois mentality of the era with traditional themes. These novels are characterized by recognizable geography, familiar historical settings, and the purely human qualities of the protagonists.