Ramon Llull: Life, Philosophy, and Medieval Literary Legacy

Ramon Llull: Life and Conversion (1232–1316)

Ramon Llull (1232–1316) was born in Mallorca. At 32 years old, he was married and had two children. At that moment, Jesus Christ appeared to him, leading to his conversion. He decided to learn religion and later, Arabic.

Llull's Literary Periods

First Period: Encyclopedic Works

Llull wrote an encyclopedic work intended as a compilation of all medieval knowledge, called the Book of Contemplation of God.

Second Period: The Art (Ars Magna)

Llull developed the Art, a logical system for demonstrating religious truths. This period is characterized by two bases:

• Quaternary Base: Based on four basic ideas.
• Ternary Base: A simplification of the Quaternary Base designed for universal understanding.

Key works from this period include the Art Books, the Tree of Science (or philosophy of science), and narrative works such as:

• Blanquerna (which includes the Book of the Lover and the Beloved).
• Felix or Book of Wonders.
• Book of the Gentile and the Three Wise Men.

In poetry, Llull composed religious hymns to God and the Virgin Mary, and the anthem Lo Desconhort (The Discomfort). While Lo Desconhort initially expresses discouragement, it ends with Ramon recovering his faith and voice, overcoming his crisis and fear of wasting time.

Third Period: Short Philosophical Works and Final Crusade

Llull did not write major works on the Art during this period, but focused on shorter works concerning philosophy, theology, and logic. Notable works include:

• Phantasticus: A dispute between Peter and the fantastic cleric Peter.

Llull wrote the Crusade Song (or Journey to the Council of Vienne in Dauphiné) to request a crusade for peaceful conversion. He organized a mission and traveled to Bejaia to convert Muslims. He was stoned and badly injured, forcing him to return without completing his goal.

Evolution of Medieval Literary Genres

Analysis of Llull's Major Narrative Works

Blanquerna (Including the Book of the Lover and the Beloved)

Blanquerna's parents, Evast and Aloma, wish him to marry Natana, but Blanquerna retreats to a monastery. Blanquerna convinces Natana to pursue a religious life; she becomes a nun and later a hermit. Upon the death of the Pope in Rome, Blanquerna is offered the papacy, which he accepts. He organizes peaceful crusades and works toward the universalization of Christianity. Once this is achieved, he resigns and returns to the life of a hermit. This work contains the embedded Book of the Lover and the Beloved.

Felix or Book of Wonders

This work explains how a prince should be educated. It is divided into 10 books on different topics. The narrative thread follows Felix as he travels the world observing how men fail to worship God. The seventh book, the Book of Beasts, is an autonomous story and a fable, containing apologetic elements (moral teaching).

Book of the Gentile and the Three Wise Men

This work features a Gentile (a non-believer) who is convinced of no religion. He encounters three wise men representing Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They discuss a series of topics, with each defending his own religion. The book does not explicitly state which religion is superior. The text suggests two reasons for this open ending: 1) Llull wanted to emphasize the points where the three religions agree, and 2) He wanted the reader to deduce the conclusion.