Jimena: a Woman in Spanish Literature (PDF)

Introduction (p. 1)

In ail literature there is a link between myth and history which can be observée through a process of differentiation over time. The mythic hero dreams of how his world might be and strives to impose his vision. This heroic quest often cornes into conflict with reality, thereby producing an antithesis or polarization at thé level of discourse.

Literary évolution, as related to history, dépends, therefore, on thé equilibrium between "épie differentiation," that is thé supremacy of thé state or social order over individual désire, and "lyric indifferentiation" seen as thé priority of thé individual over thé community. This book will explain how this balance between communal needs and individual reactions, social change and literary taste, affects thé portrayal throughout Spanish h`terature of Jimena, thé wife of Spain`s foremost mythic hero, thé Cid.

The early épie fulfilled a didactic rôle. It was thé repository of thé knowledge necessary for thé function and cohésion of a preliterate or semi-literate society. It provided guidance. The heroes and their deeds were thé vehicles for thé illustration of social mores. Menéndez Pidal has noted that thé original function of thé épie in Spain was to announce contemporary occurrences and not only to amuse or entertain:

La épica no es un ocioso divertimiento, es arte

para la vida, para la vida pûblica,... poema mas

que para recrear, para levantar el ânimo a

pensamientos hazanosos.

The juglar sang, "de gestis, ad recreationem et fort ad informationem." Not ail history is recorded, thé poet chooses what to sing and what to silence. The poet, and thé passage of time, détermine not only what will be understandable and enjoyable, but bénéficiai to thé audience. "The poem," Dunn noted "has thé functional effect of myth magnifying thé common purpose of thé community in thé image of thé exemplary hero."

The heroes and thé heroines of thé Spanish épie, and later related

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