Spanish Literary Eras: From 13th Century Prose to Renaissance Poetry

13th Century Spanish Prose: Foundations and Innovations

The Rise of Didactic Prose

Didactic prose emerged in the thirteenth century, a century later than the chansons de geste.

The emergence of prose opened new avenues for Spanish literature, history, thought, and science.

Alfonso X the Wise: A Cultural Catalyst

King Alfonso X the Wise was a key figure in 13th-century culture, promoting writing and the translation of important works from other cultures into Castilian.

Categories of Alfonsine Prose

Alfonsine prose is typically divided into five groups:

• Legal works
• Scientific treatises
• Historical chronicles
• Recreational literature
• Lyrical works (canticles)

Didactic Narrative and Don Juan Manuel

The thirteenth century also saw the development of didactic narrative prose. Its leading figure was Don Juan Manuel, renowned for his influential work, The Count Lucanor.

The Spanish Renaissance: Poetic Evolution

Defining the Renaissance Movement

The Renaissance was a profound cultural movement that originated in Italy and spread across 16th-century Europe. It was marked by a renewed interest in the human being as the center of creation and a revival of the Greco-Roman past.

Two Periods of the Spanish Renaissance

In Spain, the Renaissance movement is typically divided into two distinct periods:

• Early Renaissance: Coinciding with the reign of Charles I (Carlos I).
• Late Renaissance: Coinciding with the reign of Philip II (Felipe II).

Early Renaissance Poetry: Italian Influences

Early Renaissance poetry is characterized by the strong influence of Italian Petrarchan poetry. Its main features include:

• Themes: An idealized vision of love and nature prevails, alongside the incorporation of Greco-Roman mythological themes.
• Metric: Poets imitated Italian forms, primarily utilizing hendecasyllables and heptasyllables. Common stanzas include tercets, octaves royal, sonnets, lyres, and canzones.
• Style: Poets sought naturalness of expression, formal simplicity, and the pursuit of beauty.

Key Subgenres and Figures of the Early Renaissance

The most frequent subgenres in the Early Renaissance were the eclogue and the ode.

The poet who best represents this period is Garcilaso de la Vega. Alongside Juan Boscán, he was instrumental in introducing Italian poetic forms into Spain. Garcilaso is especially noted for his three Eclogues and his sonnets.

Late Renaissance Poetry: Religious and Moral Concerns

Late Renaissance poetry expresses a deep concern for religious and national themes, reflecting the moral and spiritual crisis in Spain during this era.

Poetic Schools of the Late Renaissance

During this period, three significant poetic currents or schools emerged:

• Salamanca School: Characterized by reflection on religious and moral themes, with Fray Luis de León as its most prominent figure.
• Asceticism and Mysticism: Poets sought a perfect union with God. Prominent figures include Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross.