Medieval Spanish Anonymous Narrative Poems Structure

The Romance Narrative Poems

Anonymous narrative poems, known as romances, were intended to be sung. They are typically composed of eight-syllable rhyming assonance verses paired together. However, some romances feature nine, seven, or six syllables, and some utilize full rhyme.

Dating and Transmission

• Old Romances: These are documented from the late Middle Ages and mid-sixteenth century, when they enjoyed great popularity. Because of their anonymity and oral transmission, they are difficult to date accurately.
• New Romances: These were composed by poets starting in the late sixteenth century, mimicking the shape and style of the ancient forms.

Classification of Romance

Romances of Epic Medieval Theme

These derive from an epic poem or other literary source and are, therefore, recastings. They extol the virtues of heroes and kings, often for propaganda purposes. Example: Romance of El Cid

French Theme Romances (Carolingian)

These include issues dealing with the French epic and romance novels featuring characters from the chanson de geste. Example: Romances Don Roland and Dona Alda

Romances of Historical Theme

These concern events in Castilian medieval history. Example: Romance of the Pretty Princess

Romances of Border Issue

These narrate episodes of border struggles between Christians and Muslims. Examples: Abenab, Moriana, Loss of the Alhambra

Romance Fiction

This subdivision covers themes such as unfaithful love, unrequited love, adultery, incest, seduction, and teasing. Examples: Beauty the Malmaridada, The Infantino

Romances Biblical and Greco-Roman Religious

These recount episodes from the Bible, the apocryphal gospels, devotional and hagiographical legends, and stories of Greco-Roman antiquity. Examples: Romance of the Lament of David, The Holy Sore

Address and Narrative Structure

The romances generally respect the chronological order of the story, but this order is sometimes broken. Beginning in medias res and abrupt, suspenseful endings are common, often leaving an effect of uncertainty on the audience. The narrator may use either the first or third person.

Style Features

Verb Usage

• Use singular verbs; frequent use of the historic present and imperfect indicative in contexts where the simple present perfect might otherwise be expected.

Archaic Language

• Archaic features: Phonetic features include the conservation of the Latin initial 'f-' (e.g., fijo for 'hijo') and the paragogic 'e' (addition of an ending 'e', e.g., amare). Archaic verb forms such as sodes and ides are used, as well as lexical archaisms like Ansi (thus).

Formulas and Repetition

• Using Formulas: Conative formulas are used to introduce dialogue and appeal to the audience. Epic epithets (e.g., France's natural) are used for mnemonic purposes and parallels.
• Repetition: Hemistichs occur between two verses (repetition within the same verse), anaphora (repetition between two verses), or between a group of verses (e.g., Abenamar, Abenamar...).

Other Resources

The frequent use of antithesis (e.g., plain below, plain top) and enumerations is notable: The Alhambra was, sir, and the other, the Mosque, the others, the Alixares.