The Renaissance: Culture, Art, and Literature

Topic 4: The World in the Seventeenth Century

• New mindsets: Humanism emerges.
• Religion: Faith becomes more personal, though the Reformation and Counter-Reformation create significant tension.
• Politics: European monarchies consolidate their power.

Culture and Art

This period is known as the Renaissance, representing a rebirth and cultural awakening of ancient traditions.

• Origins: The cradle of the Renaissance was Italy, specifically Rome and Florence, featuring masters like Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci.
• Antiquity: A focus on recovering the art of the classical world.
• Science: Humanism facilitates breakthroughs such as the heliocentric system.

Renaissance Sculpture and Literature

• Classical Influence: A return to the Greco-Roman world.
• Literary Standards: Italian literature becomes the primary reference for European writers.
• Originality: Writers prioritize imitating the classics over seeking total originality.
• Themes: Love and nature are the central subjects.
• Mythology: Literature is rich with references, such as Medusa.
• Style: Emphasis on clarity and balance.

The Petrarchan Lyric in Spain

The Spanish Renaissance lyric follows the footsteps of Francesco Petrarch, whose most important work is the Canzoniere (Songbook).

• The Songbook: A collection of poems detailing the poet's love for Laura, divided into two parts: In vita di Laura and In morte di Laura.
• Theme: The central focus is unrequited love.
• Style: Based on the legacy of courtly love.
• Form: The sonnet is the most frequently used verse.

Garcilaso de la Vega

Garcilaso embodies the ideal Renaissance courtier. He introduced Italian poetic forms to Spain alongside his friend Juan Boscán.

• Forms: Utilizes poetic structures inherited from Greco-Roman literature, such as the elegy, the eclogue, and the epistle.
• Versification: Garcilaso also employs songs and sonnets.
• Themes: Love and nature remain the primary subjects.
• Aesthetics: His style is based on a classical ideal of beauty.

Religious Lyric in Spain

• Ascetic Poetry: Describes the tasks required for an individual to achieve moral perfection.
• Mystical Poetry: Expresses the soul's union with God once moral perfection is achieved, often using simple language.

Ascetic Poetry: Fray Luis de León

Fray Luis de León belonged to the Augustinian order and was a professor of theology at the University of Salamanca.

Works

• Prose: The Names of Christ, The Perfect Wife, and Exposition of the Book of Job.
• Verse: Ode to the Retired Life, Ode to Salinas, and Serene Night.
• Themes: The underlying theme is the desire for solitude.
• Style: His favorite verse is the lira, highlighting simplicity and expressiveness.

Mystical Poetry: San Juan de la Cruz

San Juan de la Cruz was part of the Carmelite order and studied theology at the University of Salamanca. His work is characterized by deep religious feeling.

• Focus: Revolves around his personal experience with God.
• Major Works: Spiritual Canticle, Dark Night, and Flame of Love Alive.
• Style: Mixes piety with love.
• Sources: Biblical literature and pastoral/bucolic poetry.
• Form: Uses varied stanzas, especially the lira.