Renaissance Influence on Spanish Golden Age Literature

The Renaissance Period

The Renaissance began in Italy and then spread throughout the rest of Europe. This period has the following characteristics:

• Exaltation of earthly life. The topic carpe diem is frequently reiterated as an invitation to enjoy beauty and youth.
• Knowledge began to be perceived as a way of improving the human being. Thus emerged Humanism.
• Renaissance values rooted primarily in the bourgeoisie and spread through the press.
• The Renaissance man sought a more direct, intimate communication with the divinity. The Protestant Reformation and Spanish mystical poetry are expressions of this.

Garcilaso de la Vega: Italianate Poetry

Garcilaso de la Vega is the author of a small body of poetry (thirty-eight sonnets and three Églogas) whose almost unique theme is love. Garcilaso de la Vega incorporated into Spanish poetry verses and stanzas taken from Petrarch and, in general, from the Italian poets.

Fray Luis de León: Ascetic Poetry

The main theme of the poetry of Fray Luis de León is a desire to escape the world in search of spiritual peace that he is unable to find within it. Several paths are explored, including the following:

• The country life, expressed through the literary topic beatus ille (happy one), which appears in the "Ode to Retired Life".
• Music, which inspires the "Ode to Francisco de Salinas".

San Juan de la Cruz: Mystic Poetry

The theme of the poetry of San Juan de la Cruz is the joyous union of lovers, as a symbolic expression of the soul's encounter with God.

Key Concepts and Literary Terms

Asceticism

Asceticism is the practice of rigorous self-discipline and abstinence from indulgence, often for religious reasons, aimed at moving towards a closer observance of religious commitments of faith.

Mysticism

Mysticism involves a direct, intimate experience or union with the divine. The text describes a path towards this union:

• Purgative Way: The stage whereby, before meeting with God, all passions and sins are removed to spiritually free the soul and reach union with God.

Literary Topics

Common literary topics found in this period include:

1. Beatus ille (happy one): In praise of the retired life in the countryside, away from worldly passions (pride, avarice, lust for power, etc.).
2. Carpe diem (enjoy the day): An invitation to enjoy the pleasures of life, such as beauty and youth.
3. Locus amoenus (pleasant place): Description of an idealized nature.
4. Tempus fugit (time flies): A reminder of the transience of human existence.