Phonetic Articulation and Literary Structure Analysis

Classification by Mode of Articulation

• Occlusive: Articulatory organs are closed completely: p, b, t, d, k, g.
• Fricatives: Articulatory organs are close, leaving a narrow passage for air: f, θ, s, y, x.
• Affricates: An occlusive phase followed by a fricative: c.
• Nasal: The oral cavity is closed and air passes through the nose: m, n, ɲ.
• Lateral: The tip of the tongue divides the oral cavity, and air is discharged through one or both sides: l, ʎ.
• Vibrant: The tip of the tongue vibrates against the alveoli: r, ɾ.

Classification by Place of Articulation

• Bilabial: Pronounced by joining lips: p, b, m.
• Labiodental: Lower lip joins upper teeth: f.
• Interdental: Tongue rests between teeth: θ.
• Dental: Tongue is close to upper teeth: t, d.
• Alveolar: Tongue is close to the alveoli: s, n, l, r, ɾ.
• Palatal: Tongue sticks to the palate: c, y, ɲ, ʎ.
• Velar: Tongue approaches the soft palate: k, x, g.

Vibration of the Vocal Cords

• Voiceless: No vibration: p, t, k, f, θ, s, x, c.
• Voiced: Vocal cords vibrate: b, d, g, l, ʎ, m, n, ɲ, r, ɾ.

Structure of the Stanzas

Part One

• Contempt of the World: Encourages disdain for earthly life.
• Invocation to God: In keeping with Christian tradition.
• Alternative: Earthly life as a path to the conquest of eternal life.
• Assets Lost by Greed: Youth, nobility, and power.
• Transience: Reference to the fleeting nature of earthly things.
• Death as an Equalizer: Reiteration of mortality.
• Ubi Sunt: The classic cycle of questioning the past.

Part Two

• Virtues of Master Don Rodrigo: Enumeration of character traits.
• Exaltation: Comparison of Don Rodrigo Manrique with ancient prototypes.
• Military Life: Summary of the master's service.
• Dialogue with Death: Final interaction invoking God.

Triumph of the Romance Languages

For centuries, Latin was the language of monastic works. The desire for independence drove feudal monarchs to support Romance languages. By the early thirteenth century, the Lateran Council supported the use of the vernacular. From the late twelfth century, significant literary works began to appear in Castilian verse.