16th Century Spanish Prose

• During the 16th century, various circumstances led to the flourishing of a variety of narrative and non-narrative texts in prose
• Curiosity, vitalism proper to the Renaissance, and the desire to adapt classical and Italian models were influential factors
• Focus is on the study of different prose subgenres that developed in the Renaissance in Spain

Non-Narrative Prose

• Didactic non-narrative prose is a reflection of the shift in mentality, including the interest in the natural world and the appreciation of knowledge by humanism

Miscellanies

• Miscellanies are scientific and historical divulgation works, close to a modern encyclopedia, mixing diverse themes
• The goal of these works was to entertain readers while presenting the complexity of the human being
• Primary sources were the Bible, classical authors, and previous miscellanies
• Examples include "Silva de varia lección" by Pedro Mexía, "Jardín de flores curiosas" by Antonio de Torquemada, and "Misceláneas" by Luis de Zapata

Dialogue

• Dialogue is a didactic subgenre where two or more characters exchange viewpoints on a certain topic
• Dialogues touch on diverse topics
• "Diálogo de Mercurio y Carón" (1529) by Alfonso de Valdés defends Erasmus's ideas
• Dialogue is a resource to justify one's vision, reflecting an open and plural view of the world
• Dialogues can be classified by the relationship between participants, such as a master teaching disciples, or equal interlocutors
• Dialogues have classical roots, including oratory and conversational forms

Oratory Dialogue

• Its origin is traced to Cicero and Plato
• Its intention is to recreate the atmosphere of a real and plausible dialogue
• "El Cortesano" by Baltasar de Castiglione is an example
• Examples in Spanish literature is "Diálogo de la lengua" by Juan de Valdés

Conversational Dialogue

• "Secretum" is a dialogue written in Latin by Petrarch, holding an intimate conversation with St. Augustine on topics like earthly love and literary glory

Satirical or Lucianesque Dialogue

• Part of the Erasmian current, an example is "Diálogo de las damas" by Cristóbal de Villalón

Novel in Dialogue Form

• Characters act like those in "Celestina", with themes related to prostitution
• "La Lozana Andaluza" by Francisco Delicado is an example

Prose Style

• During the rise of the vernacular language, there was defense for naturalness in expression

Narrative Prose

• Renaissance fiction narrative prose has two main stages
• Works with a strong realistic influence are present, mostly "Lazarillo"
• Prose written about Celestina opened the modern novel
• Subgenres with idealized characters, such as chivalry, Moorish, pastoral, and Byzantine novels

Celestina-style Prose

• Consists of continuations and imitations of "La Celestina," dialogued works starring an old procuress with social critique
• Notable works include "La segunda Celestina" by Feliciano de Silva and "La tercera parte de la tragicomedia de Celestina" by Gaspar Gómez de Toledo

Chivalry

• Features wandering knights, amorous plots, and the Christianization of the hero

Palmerines Series

• Derives from "Palmerín de Oliva" by Francisco Vásquez
• Notable titles include "Primaleón del Danubio" and "Palmerín de Inglaterra" by Francisco de Moraes

Moorish Novel

• Set on the border between Castile and the Nasrid kingdom of Granada in the 15th century
• Idealizes the Muslim figure as cultured, civilized, sensitive, in love, and faithful
• "Historia del Abencerraje y la hermosa Jarifa" is most representative
• The plot tells of a Moorish captive, Abindarraez, freed by the Christian nobleman Rodrigo de Narváez to search for his beloved Jarifa

Pastoral Novel

• Narrates the idealzed nature settings of love between graceful protagonist shepherds
• Part of the pastoral literature found in Juan del Enzina's dramatic eclogues or Garcilaso de la Vega's lyrical eclogues

Greco-Latin inspirations

• Landscapes take on an idyllic nature that is described with Bocus Amoenus
• Verses and songs are often interspersed to add lirycism to the story

Byzantine Novel

• Protagonists are two young lovers who maintain chastity and fidelity
• Lovers are separated at one point in the story
• Symbolism for improvement and maturation are common
• A Greco-Roman reference for this subgenre is "Las Etiópicas", a novel witten in the 4th century by Heliodoro

Cervantes' The Galatea

• Pastoral novel drawing inspiration from Diana de Jorge de Montemayor
• Idealized shepherds, a love theme and nature serve as idliic settings
• Main characters are Elicio and Erastro, both in love with Galatea
• Features Italian readings and poetic sections drawn from Garcilaso de la Vega or Herera

Don Quixote de la Mancha

• Miguel de Cervantes wrote this Golden Age novel, structured in two parts
• The first part was published in 1605 and the second in 1615
• "Don Quixote" is a satirical piece that critiques books about bravery