Medievalism vs Humanism: Comparison and Religious Prose of Eiximenis and Vicent Ferrer

Summary

This document compares medievalism and humanism across social, religious and cultural features, including feudalism versus city guilds, theocentrism versus anthropocentrism, and monasteries versus universities. It then introduces Francesc Eiximenis and Vicent Ferrer, two Catalan-Valencian religious writers, and describes the didactic, oratorical style of their prose and sermons.

Key points

Medievalism is characterized by feudalism, estates, theocentrism and monasteries, with Latin and Romance as key languages.
Humanism is characterized by city guilds and unions, anthropocentrism, universities, and Greek and Latin as key languages.
Francesc Eiximenis, a Franciscan, conceived Lo Crestià as an encyclopedia; only four of its planned thirteen books survive.
Eiximenis used everyday examples and a direct, fluid urban register to reach city readers.
Vicent Ferrer, a Dominican preacher, was the most prominent preacher of his time and took part in the Western Schism and the Compromise of Caspe.
Ferrer's sermons followed a fixed structure and used shouts, colloquial language, slogans, sayings and diminutives to engage audiences; about 300 were transcribed by his reportadors.

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Medievalism vs. Humanism: A Comparative Analysis

Medievalism	Humanism
Feudalism: Land-based	Bourgeoisie: City guilds
Estates	Estates: Unions
Romance (God as judge)	Gothic
Theocentricism	Anthropocentrism
Monasteries	Universities
Latin and Romance	Greek and Latin
Didactic Literature	Children's Literature and Aesthetics
Eiximenis, Ferrer, Turmeda, Villena	Metge, Roig, Valencian School

Religious Prose

Francesc Eiximenis

Born in Girona and died in Perpignan, Eiximenis became a Franciscan monk at an early age. He completed theological studies in several cities before moving to Valencia, where he served as a counselor to the jurors for 25 years.

His extensive work, Lo Crestià (The Christian), was conceived as a vast encyclopedia. Of the 13 planned books, only four remain: 1, 2, 3, and 12. The latter is a treatise on governing political communities. He also wrote Llibre de les dones (Book of Women), a moralizing text regarding the virtues and defects of women.

A fundamental characteristic of his work is a didactic desire to use everyday items to reach the urban recipient. His prose is direct, fluid, and fresh, utilizing a cultivated urban register.

Vicent Ferrer

Vicent Ferrer is a figure of universal renown, celebrated for his activity as a preacher. Known for his reputation as a saint, oral tradition still recounts his legends and miracles. Born in 1350 in Valencia, he was a Dominican friar who died after preaching during Lent.

He taught theology and served as a director and confessor to royal family members and high-ranking prelates. He participated in the Western Schism and the Compromise of Caspe, where his decision was pivotal.

Sermons and Oratory

Vincent Ferrer was the most prominent preacher of his time, drawing fervent masses. His sermons could last over three hours, delivered across the Crown of Aragon and beyond. Dedicated fans, known as reportadors, transcribed approximately 300 of his sermons, preserving his work. His preaching maintained an anti-humanist vision, defending the traditional ideas of his era.

His sermons follow a fixed structure: an introduction in Latin, followed by sections of the topic sentences with rhyming. He utilized various expressive resources, including:

Vocal delivery: Shouts and onomatopoeia.
Audience engagement: Colloquial language, slogans, sayings, and diminutives.
Oratory techniques: Simple vocabulary, short sentences, and relatable examples to ensure the message remained understandable.

FAQ

What is the main difference between medievalism and humanism according to the text?

Medievalism is theocentric and based on feudalism, monasteries and estates, while humanism is anthropocentric and based on city guilds, universities and Greek and Latin studies.

What is Lo Crestià by Francesc Eiximenis?

Lo Crestià (The Christian) was a vast encyclopedia planned in 13 books by Eiximenis. Only books 1, 2, 3 and 12 remain, and book 12 is a treatise on governing political communities.

Why were Vicent Ferrer's sermons so effective?

His sermons used simple vocabulary, short sentences, relatable examples, colloquial language, slogans and vocal techniques, which made the message easy to understand for ordinary audiences.