74- Identity: the
building blocks of
2. Literature
and philosophy
3. Art and
architecture
4. Performing
arts
5. Cinema
and fashion
6. Media and
communications
7. Food and drink 8. Living culture:
the details of
Chapter and verse: religious poetry in the Golden Age
Catholic zeal and the Counter-Reformation (reacting to the
surge of Protestantism in northern Europe) inspired a glut
of Spanish religious poetry in the mid 16thcentury. Above
all it glorified God, but much of it also broached mysticism,
urging readers to seek out a higher spiritual plain. Despite
their faith, the authors endured their fair share of scrapes
with the Inquisition.Three writers stood out:
Fray Luis de Leónwrote sensitively of finding a path
to God inLa vida retirada, although his poetry was
unpublished and pretty much unknown in his own lifetime.
It first found print in Francisco de Quevedo’s hands in 1631,
used to show upCulteranismo(see opposite) through Luis
de León’s classical use of restraint.San Juan de la Cruzis considered one of the giants of
Spanish verse. His poetry achieved remarkable clarity in
its exploration of mysticism and man’s rapture in his
relationship with God.Noche oscura del alma(c.1577) is
particularly intense in its description of the soul’s nocturnal
search for God. It was composed during nine months of
solitary confinement in prison.Santa Teresa de Ávila, friend to San Juan de la Cruz,
is a Spanish icon. She established or reformed over 30
convents adhering to the austere Carmelite Order, but
also found time to write sublime mystical poetry.Tender
imagery shone from her best work,Vivo sin vivir en mí.
She also wrote prose on how to connect with God through
prayer and mysticism – the influentialLas Moradas
(written 1577) stands out. Franco, in particular, evoked
Teresa’s image as a beacon of Spanishness; apparently
he was even in possession of her left hand (one of many
Teresa relics).The monk’s guide
to marriage
Poet Fray Luis de León
was better known as an
author of prose during
his lifetime. In 1583 he
publishedLa perfecta
casada, a kind of moral
‘how to’ manual for the
recently married woman.
Apparently it became a
popular wedding gift in
the late 16thcentury.