Medieval Spanish Poetry: Berceo's Mester de Clerecía and Juan Ruiz's Ambiguity

Gonzalo de Berceo: Life and Works

Berceo is considered the first known poet in the Castilian language, writing within the tradition of the Mester de Clerecía (Clergy's Craft).

Berceo's Works: Classification

Lives of Saints

In these works, the protagonist is not a hero, but a saint who stands by his virtues. Berceo knew classical sources and adapted his inspired works to the tastes of the people, who were used to hearing the stories offered by minstrels (juglares). Works belonging to this group include:

• Vida de Santo Domingo de Silos
• Vida de San Millán
• Life of St. Oria

Doctrinal Works

This group includes:

• The Sacrifice of the Mass
• The Signs That Will Appear Before the Judgment
• The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence

These works generally possess less literary quality.

Works on the Virgin Mary

This literary sub-genre, Marian devotion, flourished in Europe starting in the twelfth century. Berceo, drawing on Latin sources, wrote Miracles of Our Lady (Milagros de Nuestra Señora), which is his most extensive and important work.

It consists of an allegorical introduction and twenty short stories. In each of them, Berceo recounts a miracle performed by the Virgin's intercession in favor of humble and simple people whose Marian devotion is strong. The structure of the stories usually features a character whose worldly passions (anger, lust for power, vanity, alcoholism, etc.) condemn him to solitude and abandonment. He is then defended by the Virgin, who appears as an intercessor between man and God.

Berceo's Literary Style and Resources

Berceo's work demonstrates the importance of inspiration from other sources. His originality lies in knowing how to adapt classical models to the level of ordinary and simple people, making himself understood. He uses the following resources:

• Use of epithets, proverbs, allusions, and comparisons.
• He addresses the audience in the first person, presenting himself as a witness to the story, often using phrases like "hear the story."
• Calls for attention, inviting the audience to hear the story or to reflect upon its conclusion.
• Although his work is written, he refers to himself as a "holy minstrel" (juglar de Dios), and as such, requests a reward for his labor.

Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita

Juan Ruiz is a lyric poet in Castilian, famous for the Libro de Buen Amor. Regarding the author's intention, there are several theories under discussion, oscillating between the didactic and the cynical.

Firstly, it appears that Juan Ruiz has a moralizing purpose (censoring carnal love). Secondly, however, the character lives a life of debauchery and sin, and seems to mock the society of his time through fine irony. One of the most modern features of his book is precisely this ambiguity, which leads to an open interpretation.