Spanish Renaissance Masters: Poetry, Mysticism, and the Picaresque

The Spanish Renaissance: Literature and Key Figures

The Renaissance period profoundly shaped Spanish literature, introducing new forms, themes, and sensibilities, particularly influenced by Italian models.

Key Authors of the Spanish Renaissance

Garcilaso de la Vega (1501–1536)

Garcilaso was the quintessential Renaissance gentleman: noble, gallant, courtly, and military. His poetic works address essential themes of the Renaissance.

• Sonnets: He wrote 40 sonnets, drawing composition from Italian literature. They are almost entirely focused on the theme of love, often inspired by court poetry and songbooks.
• Eclogues: He composed 3 eclogues, characterized by their bucolic (pastoral) nature.

Fray Luis de León (1527–1591)

Born in Belmonte (Cuenca), Fray Luis was an Augustinian friar and a renowned professor at the University of Salamanca.

Major Prose Works

• Translations of the Bible: Including the Song of Songs and the Book of Job.
• The Perfect Wife (La perfecta casada): A treatise discussing the ideal wife.
• The Names of Christ (De los nombres de Cristo): His prose masterpiece, written in dialogue form, discussing the various names of Christ found in the Bible.

Poetic Works

Though he did not emphasize these during his lifetime, his poetic works are highly celebrated, including Ode to the Retired Life, Prophecy of the Tagus, and Serene Night.

San Juan de la Cruz (1542–1591)

Juan de Yepes, known as San Juan de la Cruz, was a Carmelite friar. After meeting Saint Teresa of Ávila (Santa Teresa de Jesús), he joined her in the task of reforming the religious order.

He composed three major works of mystical poetry:

1. Spiritual Canticle
2. The Dark Night
3. Living Flame of Love

The poetry of San Juan de la Cruz uniquely merges the traditions of erotic verse and religious devotion.

The Novel: The Birth of Realism

In the sixteenth century, the novel as we know it today was emerging. Long narratives were often categorized as histories, treatises, books of chivalry, or pastoral romances.

Lazarillo de Tormes (Published 1554)

The anonymous publication of The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes in 1554 marked a turning point.

• Narrative Style: The story is a first-person account (epistolary style) addressed to an unknown recipient, referred to as "Your Excellency."
• Plot Summary: Lázaro recounts his life, culminating in his residence in Toledo, where he marries a maid. He attempts to explain to the reader why they should disregard the gossip concerning his wife's fidelity.
• Significance: The work consists of a prologue and seven chapters. It is considered the first realistic work of its kind in Spanish literature, featuring an antihero rather than a traditional heroic figure.