Spanish Literary Masterpieces: Middle Ages to Renaissance
Jarchas and Mozarabic Poetry
Jarchas are Mozarabic, small popular poems. They typically feature a girl who tells her love life to her sister and mother.
Mester de Juglaría
This style emerged from an illiterate society in rural cores. The Mester de Juglaría (grouped) consists of poems known as chansons de geste.
Cantar de Mio Cid
- Author: Anonymous
- Plot: Rodrigo Díaz was exiled by King Alfonso VI because of a false accusation.
- Structure: The Song of Exile, the Wedding Song, and the Song of the Affront of Corpes.
Medieval Theater
Medieval theater focused on disclosing religious teachings about Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Saints. Key themes included:
- Easter and Christmas
- Religious representations
- The Representation of the Magi
- Profane popular theater
Mester de Clerecía
The Mester de Clerecía consisted of authors who wrote stories in verse.
Milagros de Nuestra Señora
Written by Gonzalo de Berceo, this work demonstrates devotion to the Virgin Mary through legends about her goodness and power. It is written in verse (rib rolls or Cuaderna Vía).
Libro de Buen Amor
Written by Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita, also of the Mester de Clerecía. He is the author of Good Love, which includes farthing bundles (serranillas) and other verses. The work moves from man-worship to ironic and critical views of human defects.
Characteristics of the Book of Good Love
- Autobiographical tone
- A set of narrative and lyrical poems
14th Century Prose: Don Juan Manuel
This period saw the development of Castilian prose, most notably with Count Lucanor.
- Target: Aimed at the nobility through tales.
- Argument: Stories of diverse backgrounds.
- Structure: The Count poses a problem to his advisor, and a story is invented that follows the teaching. It ends with a moral in the form of a rhymed couplet.
Traditional Poetry
The arguments in traditional poetry include:
- Epic: Epic poems
- History: Medieval history
- Border: The Reconquista
- Lyrical: Love, death, and freedom
- Fictional: Real or fantastic adventures
Coplas por la Muerte de su Padre
Written by Jorge Manrique, this work consists of 480 lines in 40 stanzas. It is an elegy that shows the death of his father as a peaceful event that opens the gates of heaven to a man who has led an exemplary life.
Structure of the Coplas
- Verses 1-36: The transience of life and the equalizing power of death.
- Verses 37-180: Attractive elements in the world as unimportant, perishable goods.
- Verses 181-288: Recalls powerful figures of his time and explains their disappearance.
- Verses 289-480: Focuses on the figure of his father.
La Celestina
Written in dialogue using both cultured and vulgar language. It is about a woman who wanted to fix problems in relationships, though things did not always turn out well.
Renaissance Lyric: First Half of the 16th Century
Garcilaso de la Vega
His work shows a harmony between action and thoughts, focusing on mythology and nature. In his Eclogues (such as Eclogue I), the poet Garcilaso is split into two shepherds to talk about his feeling of love.
Renaissance Lyric: Second Half of the 16th Century
Fray Luis de León
Influenced by Greco-Roman culture and religious training, his work expresses a desire for spiritual peace. Vida Retirada (The Retired Life) is about life in the countryside.
San Juan de la Cruz
A master of mystic poetry using expressions and symbols of the language of love. In Dark Night of the Soul, a girl goes out at night to meet her beloved, who represents God.
Lazarillo de Tormes
An anonymous work explained in a letter. It features a protagonist of humble origins and explores a different kind of love through a simple, traditional folk style.