Medieval Spanish Literature and Humanism

Moral and Religious Literature

1. Crisis: Schism marked the end of the Middle Ages and a spiritual crisis. Cable Religion figures.

2. Francesc Eiximenis: (14th century) Franciscan Order, influential in Europe. Didactic and informational aims. (Exempla) comics (public and secular majority): the Christian, Book of Angels, and women.

3. Saint Vincent Ferrer: Valencia (14th-15th century) Dominican friar, influential. Preached throughout Europe. Intention to reform the moral traditions of society. (Sermons): oral texts designed to preach (280) copied by priests and penitents. Charisma, aldermen, Martin of Aragon, and Jews. Gestures, onomatopoeia.

4. Anselm Turmeda: (14th century) Franciscan friar, converted to Islam (revered), prohibited by the Inquisition. Works: "The Dispute of the Donkey against Brother Anselm Turmeda on the Nature and Nobility of Animals."

Ausias March: (15th century) Poet of Gandia. Familia writers (128 compositions). Kind and loving moral. From Lang d'Oc to Catalan. Fidelity to troubadour structure. Form: 8 verses each couplet, 2 parts (reference to generalization and 2 staff), 10 syllables with 4+6 division, or estramps: 10 syllables. Classical medieval signals: (influence is) hidden lady's name. "Full of common sense" LLIR between carbs "Amor Amor." Oh, fool Love and Women. Teresa. Dichotomy (love sensual or spiritual). Influences: Dante, Petrarch. Moral: Saint Thomas and Aristotle.

Humanism

1. Middle Class (14th, 15th, 16th centuries): Replacing feudalism with the bourgeoisie. Marked a new behavior and thinking entirely different from the feudal world. Imposed new values connecting more with social climbing and personal enrichment through talent, intelligence, and cunning than lineage and moral virtues (not inherited). Changes in cultural scenarios: no longer the courts of nobles, but cities and commercial centers like Barcelona and Valencia. Bourgeois power governed by municipal councils or the Royal Chancellery, the governing body of the kings of the Crown of Aragon. Duties: Diplomatic relations with other kings and countries, ruling all territories of the Crown. Catalan regarding laws, taxation, secret reports, founding monasteries and institutions, civil and cultural initiatives. Piero>> HR for reordering, converting it into a true governing body of modern and effective political action. Officials: Scribes, clerks, notaries, and Protonotary. Languages: Latin and Aragonese Catalan. Influences: Translations of Latin classics (The Divine Comedy by Dante, Ovid's Metamorphoses, Valter and Griselda by Petrarch, Corbaccio by Boccaccio).

2. Bernat Metge: (14th century) Barcelona (relevant in the courts of Kings Martí and Joan I of Catalonia). His stepfather influenced his cultural background and dedication to poetry. Possible to enter the Royal Chancellery as an assistant to serve the queen. Translations (History of Ovid's love and Valter and Griselda).

Works: Sermon, Medicine Appropriate for All Evil, Book of Fortune and Prudence, Dream Apology, and Lo.