Medieval Spanish Literature: Periods, Authors, and Masterpieces

The Middle Ages: Historical Context

The Middle Ages span from the 5th century (Fall of the Roman Empire) to the 15th century (Discovery of America).

Mester de Juglaría: Minstrelsy & Epic Poetry

The Mester de Juglaría refers to the craft of minstrelsy. It was a collection of poems created by anonymous bards and passed down orally during the 12th and 13th centuries. These minstrel epics were performed by artists who sometimes received only food and shelter. They would travel to towns and castles, singing about great heroes.

El Cantar de Mio Cid: A National Epic

El Cantar de Mio Cid is the oldest epic poem that has reached us. Its author is unknown, but it holds significant historical value as it was written around 1140, after the death of El Cid. The character embodies the virtues of the medieval knight: honesty, courage, generosity, piety, loyalty to his king, and love for his family.

The poem is divided into three "cantares" (songs):

• Cantar del Destierro (Song of Exile): El Cid is banished from Castile by King Alfonso VI.
• Cantar de las Bodas (Song of Weddings): El Cid achieves great victories against the Moors and conquers Valencia.
• Cantar de la Afrenta de Corpes (Song of the Outrage at Corpes): The Infantes of Carrión feel humiliated by the court and decide to take revenge on El Cid's daughters.

Mester de Clerecía: Clergy's Didactic Poetry

The Mester de Clerecía refers to a set of narrative poems with a didactic and religious purpose. Written in the 13th and 14th centuries, these works were composed in cuaderna vía (a specific poetic meter) by educated monks and clerics. They aimed to disseminate knowledge acquired from Latin texts, often for pilgrims.

Mester de Juglaría vs. Mester de Clerecía

Here are the key differences between these two poetic traditions:

• Mester de Juglaría:
  • Purpose: Entertainment
  • Meter: Irregular
  • Author: Anonymous
  • Theme: Heroic subjects
  • Period: 12th-13th centuries
• Mester de Clerecía:
  • Purpose: Didactic (to teach)
  • Meter: Regular (cuaderna vía)
  • Author: Known
  • Theme: Religious subjects
  • Period: 13th-14th centuries

Castilian Prose & Alfonso X the Wise

Alfonso X the Wise is considered the creator of Castilian prose. He was the first king who began writing the official documents of the kingdom in Castilian, thus developing Castilian as the official language. He also significantly contributed to culture through the creation of the School of Translators of Toledo in the 13th century.

La Celestina: A Literary Transition

La Celestina, written in the late 15th century, is a tragedy of love and death. It is considered one of the most important works of Spanish literature after Don Quixote. Written in dialogue form, its author is Fernando de Rojas, born in Puebla de Montalbán (Toledo).

Language in La Celestina

The language of La Celestina is distinct, reflecting the social status of the characters:

• Servants and the Matchmaker: Use popular sayings and colloquial phrases.
• Main Characters: Employ a more cultivated and elevated language.

Medieval and Renaissance Influences

La Celestina is a work of transition between the Medieval and Renaissance periods:

• Medieval Elements: The strong influence of the Middle Ages is evident in constant references to God and divine providence.
• Renaissance Elements: It features the exaltation of man and human affairs, and the estimation of love, even beyond divine love.