Romance: definición, características, explicación y ejemplos

Introduction to Romance in Medieval Literature

Overview of the Program

• The program explores the role of juglares and trobadores in medieval literature, focusing on the romance as a fundamental composition.

• A quieter setting is chosen for a detailed explanation of the romance structure.

Structure of Romance

• Romances consist of eight-syllable verses (arte menor) that rhyme in pairs (e.g., 2, 4, 6). They do not have a fixed number of verses.

• Generally, romances feature assonant rhymes, though some may include consonant rhymes.

• These compositions originated in the Middle Ages and have persisted through centuries to modern times.

Characteristics and Popularity of Romances

Cultural Significance

• Romances are characterized as a distinctly Castilian and Spanish contribution to medieval literature, being popular songs sung by everyone during that era.

• They served as vital means of communication at a time when there was no television or press; they conveyed news and stories across communities.

Oral Tradition

• Most romances were created by anonymous authors who narrated events or stories that were then spread orally by juglares or trobadores, allowing them to be embraced by the public.

• This oral tradition allowed for variations in storytelling as tales were passed from person to person.

Categories of Romancero

Old vs New Romancero

• Scholars categorize romances into two main types:

• Romancero Viejo: Anonymously composed, entirely oral traditions without multiple versions.

• Romancero Nuevo: Emerged around the 15th century with identifiable authors who expressed creative intent through their named works.

Notable Authors

• The evolution continued with notable figures like Góngora and even reached contemporary writers such as Lorca with his famous "romancero gitano."

Types of Romances Based on Themes

Historical Context

• Various categories exist based on thematic content:

• Historical romances recount significant events like the taking of Zamora or tales about El Cid and Bernardo del Carpio, reflecting real historical contexts.

Other Categories

• Additional themes include:

• Chivalric cycles, such as those surrounding Charlemagne or King Arthur.

• Border romances depicting conflicts between Christians and Muslims during reconquest periods (1100–1400).