Renaissance Literature: Pastoral, Byzantine, and Picaresque Novels

Sannazaro and the Pastoral Novel

Sannazaro's characteristics: The novel features false poetic shepherds. The characters exist within an idealized bucolic landscape to express their troubles in love. The setting is pleasant and peaceful (locus amoenus), often featuring the intervention of mythological characters. The prose is elegant and highly lyrical, including varied poetic meters. The work highlights the role played by love in destiny and the dignity of the person who suffers for love.

Key Pastoral Works

• La Diana by Montemayor: Presents the novel as a true story.
• Gaspar Gil Polo: Author of Diana enamorada.
• Miguel de Cervantes: Author of La Galatea.
• Lope de Vega: Closes the genre with Arcadia.

Byzantine and Picaresque Novels

Byzantine Novel

These works narrate a sequence of adventures that end with the happy reunion of lovers or members of a family. Notable works include Selva de aventuras by Jerónimo de Contreras and Persiles y Sigismunda by Miguel de Cervantes.

Picaresque Novel

This genre emerged as a reaction against the idealized characters of the pastoral novel and the books of chivalry. It is considered a social document that reflects the life of the time.

Renaissance Lyric Poetry

First Renaissance Lyric

Developed in the first half of the sixteenth century, it is marked by the introduction of Italian literary forms and European philosophical currents. The work of Garcilaso de la Vega is central to this period.

Second Renaissance Lyric

Coincides with the reign of Philip II during the second half of the sixteenth century. The work of Fray Luis de León represents the synthesis of the classical tradition with vital Renaissance poetic ideals.

Poetic Currents

• Traditional Renaissance Lyric: Popular poetry grew during the sixteenth century. Types of verse included:
  • Traditional song: Compositions generally written as songs, ballads, and coplas de pie quebrado. The central theme is courtly love.
  • The Romance: Spread through chapbooks collected in the Cancionero de romances.
• Educated Castilian Verse: Court poetry was transmitted to sixteenth-century poets through successive editions of the Cancionero general by Hernando del Castillo.
• Italianate Lyric: Juan Boscán, encouraged by Andrea Navagero, introduced Italian literary trends to Spanish poetry. Boscán sought advice from his friend Garcilaso de la Vega, and together they adopted new metrical forms, preferring heptasyllables and hendecasyllables, and introduced new stanzas influenced by Petrarch and Baldassare Castiglione.