Medieval Lyric Poetry: Troubadours, Genres, and Key Figures

The Middle Ages: A Historical Context

The Middle Ages began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD) and concluded with the occupation of Constantinople by the Turks (1453 AD), spanning almost ten centuries. The High Middle Ages, between the 5th and 12th centuries AD, witnessed the formation of the Romance languages. The birth of new languages entailed the appearance of relevant literature, which was only orally transmitted during its initial period, becoming written from the 12th century onwards. During the Late Middle Ages (12th to 15th centuries), Romance languages gained ground and slowly replaced Latin as languages suitable for culture.

Medieval Lyric Poetry

During the Middle Ages, lyric poetry, expressing personal feelings and sensations, was primarily sung. The author, whether anonymous or known, was a poet, and the work had to be set to music. The origins of medieval lyric poetry can be sought in the Roman world; however, medieval poetry presents differentiated content. Religious themes emerged from a deeply Christianized society, while profane themes, from the 11th century onwards, originated within a feudal society with its diverse individual expressions.

Troubadour Poets and Minstrels

The concept of the troubadour was distinct from that of the Latin poet. While Latin poets composed in Latin, troubadour songs were composed in the vernacular (vulgar) language and performed before a courtly audience. For their work to reach the public, they needed an interpreter, often a jester or minstrel. The jester had to possess great lyrical expertise to convey the song with meticulous precision, and could sing either without accompaniment or with an instrument. Troubadours and minstrels were travelers, often moving from one country to another, presenting their works.

Linguistic Landscape and Troubadour Lyric

Throughout most of Europe, classical Latin remained the language of culture par excellence throughout the Middle Ages. The Christian Church adopted it as the sole official language, giving it a universal character as the unifying language of the entire Christian community.

Occitan Lyric Poetry

Occitan lyric poetry flourished among the nobility, following the traditions of Occitan aristocracy. This lyric art, known as trobar (the art of finding or creating), required great skill. A good troubadour had to know and follow rigid rules of composition. Troubadour poems revolved around three main themes: love, war, and death. Specific genres included the canso (love song), sirventes (dramatic/satirical), alba (dawn song), pastorela (pastoral), tensó (debate), and the planh (funerary lament).

Cerverí de Girona

Cerverí de Girona is the Catalan troubadour whose compositions, totaling over 120, have been preserved. Of humble origins, he is an example of a professional troubadour associated with the royal court and the Viscounty of Cardona. One of his greatest merits is having written a few songs imitating the style and themes of traditional popular poetry.

Ramon Llull

Ramon Llull is considered one of the first great lyric poets to write in Catalan. In 1299, in Paris, feeling disheartened that his projects for the evangelization of unbelievers were not being heard or gaining interest, Llull wrote one of the most interesting autobiographical poems of the Middle Ages: Cant de Ramon (Ramon's Song). In Cant de Ramon, Llull expresses his despair but also reaffirms his ideals and the validity of his work, primarily his books.