Medieval Spanish Literature: El Cid, Miracles, Love, and More

Poema del Mio Cid

An epic poem recounting the story of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, El Cid, a Castilian nobleman of the 11th century. The poem details the loss and recovery of the Cid's honor after being unjustly banished by King Alfonso VI. It is divided into three parts:

Song of the Exile

The poem begins with the Cid and his subjects leaving their land. In exile, he engages in battles against both Arabs and Christians. This section portrays him as a warrior hero with great humanity.

Song of the Marriage

After several victories, the Cid conquers Valencia. He sends a share of the spoils to King Alfonso VI, who forgives him and arranges the marriage of the Cid's daughters to the Heirs of Carrion.

Song of the Afrenta of Corpes

The Heirs of Carrion, accused of cowardice, abandon the Cid's daughters in the woods of Corpes. Seeking justice, the Cid appeals to the King. The Heirs are punished, and the hero's daughters marry princes of Navarre and Aragon.

Miracles of Our Lady

A collection of 25 stories featuring the Virgin's interventions. Each story follows a similar structure: a person commits a sin, and the Virgin, moved by their devotion, intervenes to save their life or soul.

Good Book of Love

This book narrates a series of affairs in an autobiographical style, presented as personal experiences of the author. The narrative framework includes fables, allegories, tales, and legends. It is a groundbreaking work, using parody and irony to caricature medieval society and its various segments.

Count Lucanor

A didactic book featuring 51 stories that convey moral teachings. The stories follow a pattern: Count Lucanor poses a problem to Patronio, who tells a story with a moral lesson. Don Juan Manuel then writes the story and adds a moral at the end. Most stories are based on folk tales, legends, historical figures, and fables.

Verses

An elegy where the author reflects on life, death, time, and the memory of loved ones. The elegy consists of forty stanzas, known as couplets or manriqueñas. It is noted for its contained emotion. The poem can be divided into four parts:

• A meditation on the transience of life.
• Examples illustrating this volatility.
• Mention of Don Rodrigo Manrique.
• Don Rodrigo's encounter with death.