Medieval Literature and Artistic Styles: Romanesque to Gothic

Part of the Middle Ages

Socio-Economic Structure

Riquezas (wealth) was the source of land, and serfs were subject to it. Ecclesiastical seniors governed, including monks from monasteries. They educated, taught, and developed codices.

Economic Shift

The Middle Ages began with an economic boom, leading to a higher concentration of population in ciudades (cities) that formed future structures.

Art Romanesque

This style used artistic elements from Romanesque, Muslim, and Byzantine sculpture. It was understood that proportion of figures was intended to increase the Christian faith, as the teachings of Christ were not the most important focus.

Gothic Art

A style that developed at the end of the 12th century.

Archpriest of Hita and the Book of Good Love

This work includes popular elements from the rural and urban life, approached by the minstrel. The Book of Good Love is a painting of society with a large variety of elements: tales, fables, and religious poems. A self-narrator is considered a literary device.

The Archpriest of Hita

The author presents himself as the author of the work and identifies as the protagonist who narrates the adventures in the first person. The account corresponds as closely as possible to reality, as this is a literary device of an tutor loaded with humor and wit.

Alfonso X School

Alfonso X the Wise gave great impetus to Castilian as a prose, doctrinal, historical, and narrative medium.

Grande e General Estoria

This book, written in Castilian against tradition, claimed to be a world history but was interrupted at the New Testament. Its main source was the Bible.

Don Juan Manuel

Most of the enrichment lies in the diversity of topics, vocabulary simplicity, and clarity. Juan Manuel always tried to make his literature educational and moral, as well as fun. His works include:

• El Conde Lucanor: This work is composed of fifty tales given as advice to solve problems or difficulties in life. Its inspiration even came from Juan Manuel's own experience.

Exposition Procedures

Linear order, repetitions, using enumerations, and description.

Linguistic Features

Enunciative sentences, prayers, explicative sentences, synonyms, and antonyms.

Where to Find

Class textbook.

Argumentation

Procedure

Structure: thesis, body, and conclusion; order; and examples.

Linguistic Features

Enunciative sentences, prayers, and interrogative cultisms.

Where to Find

Debate or editorial.

Verb Tenses Examples

• Pretérito Perfecto Compuesto (Present Perfect): I sang, you sang, sung.
• Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto (Pluperfect): Had sung, singing, singing has been.
• Condicional Compuesto (Compound Conditional): Could sing, could sing, would have sung.