Mester de clerecia

This course will focus on different works of "mester de clerecía" from the 13th and 14th centuries, and provide an overview of current thinking regarding their nature and origin, while at the same time seeking to interrogate many of the prevailing assumptions and received ideas of Spanish literary historiography. Works and topics will include: Libro de Alexandre (ideologies of power), Libro de Apolonio (the intellectual hero), Berceo's works (hagiography, clerical poetry, the rise of literacy), Poema/Libro de Fernán González (epic hero), and Libro de buen amor (seduction manual/spiritual guide).