Key Authors and Movements in Spanish Literature

Early Spanish Literature

This period presents challenges due to the oral transmission of many texts. The earliest known lyrical expressions are the Jarchas, short poems of Mozarabic origin, often appended to longer poems (Muwasahas). Within this century, the Mester de Juglaría flourished, exemplified by works like the Poem of the Cid.

Auto de los Reyes Magos

• Anonymous religious play.
• Part of a cycle of acts.
• Focuses on the journey and adoration of the Magi.

Mester de Clerecía

Associated with the clergy and monasteries, where culture and learning were developed and preserved. Key characteristics include:

• Religious and historical themes.
• Influence of classical antiquity.
• Written in cuadernavía (fourteen-syllable lines in monorhyme quatrains).
• Didactic purpose.

14th Century Authors

Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita

Born in Alcalá de Henares, he was an archpriest and was imprisoned. He possessed extensive literary training. His works include:

• Libro de buen amor: Approximately 8000 verses. Begins with a prayer to the Virgin, includes narrative episodes, and a prologue explaining its purpose.
• Serranillas: Mountain songs where a gentleman encounters and interacts with mountain women.

Don Juan Manuel

Born in Escalona in the year 1282. His works include:

• Libro del caballero y del escudero
• Libro de los estados
• El Conde Lucanor: The work is structured in parts:
  1. Justification of his intention to write.
  2. Choice of the stories.
  3. The stories themselves, typically featuring Count Lucanor and his advisor Patronio, followed by a moral.

Renaissance Literature

Fray Luis de León

Born in Belmonte in 1527. His works include:

• Translations of classical authors.
• Prose works like De los nombres de Cristo.
• Poetry (verse), which was often circulated in manuscript form during his lifetime.

His fundamental ideas revolve around:

• The desire for peace and spiritual life.
• Considering earthly life as a prison.
• Preferring the simple life of nature.
• The union with God.

The Picaresque Novel

This genre emerged reflecting the social situation in Spain, where many people experienced poverty, social upheaval, and failed attempts to gain wealth. Society was full of vagabonds. The protagonist is typically a rogue (pícaro).

Lazarillo de Tormes

This foundational work of the picaresque genre is anonymous, possibly due to its critical and bold portrayal of society and the church, which posed a risk to the author. The protagonist, Lázaro, serves various masters out of necessity, including a blind man, and eventually achieves a modest position in society.

Characteristics:

• Autobiographical form: Told from the protagonist's perspective.
• Protagonist is a rogue (pícaro).
• Told in plain language.
• Retrospective narrative.
• Divided into "tratados" (treatises) that are relatively independent episodes.
• Purpose is to critique society at the time.
• Considered a realistic novel.