Medieval Literature: History, Genres, and Key Authors

The Middle Ages

The period spanning from the fall of the Roman Empire (5th century) to the Renaissance (15th century), with literature flourishing from the 10th century onwards.

Key Characteristics

• Coexistence between Muslims, Jews, and Christians
• Strong religious sentiment
• Military activities

Historical Context

• Birth of the Romance languages
• Development of literature in romance

Lyric Poetry

Jarchas

Mozarabic short verses located at the end of the muwashshahas. They feature themes of love, an abundance of exclamatory and interrogative sentences, and emotional vocabulary.

Troubadour Poetry

Flourishing in the 12th and 13th centuries, this learned poetry was written in Provençal by known authors. Styles include:

• Pastoral: Country settings
• Sirventes: Anecdotal and satirical

Notable troubadours include G. Cabestany, C. Girona, and Raimon Vidal de Besalú.

Castilian Carol

Emerging in the 14th century in Castile, this style features simple love themes. It includes the head start (initial singing) and the gloss (enlarging the initial song).

Galician-Portuguese Lyric

Developed in the 13th century, these works were designed for singing. Types include:

• Cantigas de amigo
• Cantigas de amor
• Cantigas of ridicule and cursing

Narrative in Verse

Minstrelsy

• Epic Tales: Minstrels narrated the exploits of a hero using verses of varying syllable counts with assonant rhyme. A key example is El Cantar de Mio Cid (Per Abbat).
• Romances: Evolved from epic poems in the 14th century, featuring octosyllabic lines and varied themes.

Clergy (Mester de Clerecía)

Educated poetry in romance focusing on religious or legendary themes. It served a didactic purpose with a careful style. Key works include Berceo's Miracles of Our Lady and the Book of Good Love by the Archpriest of Hita.

Learned Poetry of the 15th Century

• Courtly Poetry: Focused on courtly love with a complex style and developed metrics.
• Allegorical Poetry: Complex style with elevated themes.
• Key Authors: Santillana (Serranillas, Italian-style sonnets), Manrique (Verses on the Death of His Father), and Juan de Mena (Labyrinth of Fortune).

Prose

• Alfonso X El Sabio: Historical (General Chronicle), Legal (The Siete Partidas), and Scientific (Alfonsine Tables).
• Don Juan Manuel: The Count Lucanor (or Book of Patronio).
• Books of Chivalry: Tirant lo Blanc (Martorell) and Amadis of Gaul (Montalvo).
• Sentimental Novel: Prison of Love by Diego de San Pedro.