Medieval Spanish Literature: Genres, Works, and Analysis

Medieval Literary Genres in Spain

Lyric Poetry

Two trends characterized lyric poetry in medieval Spain:

• Traditional Lyric: Short poems focused on love affairs.
• Cultured Lyric: Encompassed three forms: cancionero, love poetry, and moral and satirical reflections on life and politics.

Narrative Poetry: Two Schools

• Mester de Juglaría (Minstrelsy): Featured epic poems and heroic narratives in versos de arte mayor.
• Mester de Clerecía (Clergy): Explored religious themes and the lives of saints in measured and rhymed verses, exemplified by works like the Book of Good Love and the Miracles of Our Lady.

Theater

• Religious Theater: Depicted scenes from Christ's life, such as his birth or crucifixion.
• Profane Theater: Included pastoral and romantic representations.

Prose

Medieval Spanish prose encompassed historical chronicles, short stories, travelogues, and novels.

Circumstances in Medieval Literature

Several key factors shaped medieval Spanish literature:

• Archaic Language: Reflecting the linguistic evolution of the time.
• Oral Transmission: Many works were initially spread through oral tradition.
• Two Types of Literature: Popular literature catered to a broader audience, while educated literature targeted a more learned readership.
• Didacticism and Theocentrism: Literature often served a didactic purpose, with a strong emphasis on God as the central figure (theocentrism).

Key Works of Medieval Spanish Literature

Miracles of Our Lady (Gonzalo de Berceo)

Subject: A collection of 25 short stories in verse, written in cuaderna vía (characteristic of the Mester de Clerecía).

Structure: Marked by deep devotion to the Virgin Mary. Each story features a protagonist facing danger or crisis who seeks Mary's help and finds resolution through her intervention.

Book of Good Love (Juan Ruiz)

Main Topics: A diverse work encompassing lyrical compositions, narrative elements, allegorical tales, fables, and humorous skits.

Theme: Explores the opposition between two types of love: good love (spiritual love directed towards God and the Virgin Mary) and mad love (earthly, passionate love for women).

Style: Employs a variety of verses (typical of the Mester de Clerecía), along with rich language, puns, diminutives, and proverbs.

Mester de Juglaría and Mester de Clerecía

Mester de Juglaría

• Emerged in the 12th century.
• Characterized by anonymous works.
• Dominated by verses of 13 and 16 syllables.
• Focused on heroic and legendary subjects.
• Language often reflected oral expression.
• Frequently used for political propaganda.

Mester de Clerecía

• Also emerged in the 12th century.
• Authorship often known and attributed to learned individuals (clergy).
• Employed a regular metric (cuaderna vía - 14-syllable verses with rhyme).
• Addressed religious and ascetic themes.
• Used elevated language and Latinisms.
• Aimed for religious indoctrination.

El Cantar de Mio Cid

Narrative: Recounts the story of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar (El Cid), a Castilian nobleman who is falsely accused by his enemies and exiled by King Alfonso VI. The epic follows El Cid's journey to regain his honor and social standing.

Structure: Divided into three parts:

• Cantar del Destierro (Song of Exile): El Cid is banished from Castile, bids farewell to his family, and leaves them in a monastery. He embarks on a series of military victories against the Moors and conquers Valencia.
• Cantar de las Bodas (Song of the Weddings): King Alfonso pardons El Cid, and his daughters marry the heirs of Carrión. However, the heirs prove to be cowardly and dishonorable.
• Cantar de la Afrenta de Corpes (Song of the Outrage at Corpes): On their journey back from Valencia, the heirs of Carrión mistreat and abandon El Cid's daughters. El Cid challenges them to a duel, defeats them, and his daughters eventually marry the Infants of Aragon and Navarre.

Themes: El Cantar de Mio Cid explores the social rise of the Castilian nobility, the conflict between the Castilian and Leonese nobility, the importance of honor, and the process of regaining social status.