What is it about?
The article deals with the complex relationship of the Spanish Libro de Alexandre (early 13th century) with the cultural changes of its age, in which a sense of modernity arises. I identify certain textual elements that point to the innovative ideas shared by the clergy of that time, such as the value given to bookish and natural knowledge, and the importance ascribed to human agency in History. At the same time, these ideas clash with the more traditional views deeply rooted in theological conceptions. I highlight that this tension remains unresolved in the Libro de Alexandre.
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Why is it important?
The analysis poses the question of how cultural issues may be inscribed in a literary text in complex, non-literal ways. It also sets the Libro de Alexandre against the background of medieval romance tradition, thus opening its consideration from a wider critical point of view.
Perspectives
I read this article for the first time at the symposium "The Cleric's Craft", where it received good comments from my colleagues. It is usually claimed that Hispanomedievalism should open its interests to a broader consideration of other Romance literatures. Writing this article led my research towards a larger field including French and Anglo-Norman literary traditions.
Maria Cristina Balestrini
Universidad de Buenos Aires
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Libro de Alexandre and the Limits of Modernitas, June 2024, De Gruyter,
DOI: 10.1163/9789004698048_007.
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