The middle ages generated a breed of literary intellectuals. It was during this time that a wide array of complex, controversial, and severely entertaining works were introduced to the public. Roman literature became the platform on which many medieval writers derived their literary successes. Many of the major themes we saw in literature ranged from being enveloped in religious ideologies, to secular works, and all the way to the popular the courtly love. Specifically, prior to the 14th century, Spain was under Moorish rule. The country prospered in many aspects; they flourished in their economy, agriculture, and most notably, their production of literary geniuses. During this time, Spain was a cosmopolitan society in which a variety of religious beliefs could publically coexist. By the 14th century the Reconquista had been under full effect, and the country’s ethical and religious affiliations were sliding to one end of the spectrum. The Church had now become the higher power and controled much of the countries relations. This influence on the Spanish society was largely translated into the literary works of the time.
Poetry largely became one of the more popular forms of literary works during this time. Following in the footsteps of Gonzalo de Berceo, many literary poets constructed their material so that it be written in specific type of Spanish metric stanza. This was denominated cuaderna via, where the stanzas are written in single rhyme quatrains and in twelve to fourteen syllables. Unlike much of the work written in the middle ages, these poems written in cuaderna via were meant to be read and recited, and not sung. These poems were largely affiliated with religious ideologies, and it was during this time that Juan Ruiz, archpriest of Hita, introduced his poems to the world.
Juan Ruiz can be considered one of the more original, controversial and daring medieval poets. Born in the late 13th century, Juan Ruiz was a poet and cleric who today we know relatively little about. His works were greatly influenced by Ovid and the church. Juan Ruiz became most widely recognized for his work, el Libro de Buen Amor. The book, written in cuaderna via, aims to entertain the audience on the concept of ‘good love’. Critics regard this book as ambiguous, polysemic and heterogeneous. It is a pseudo-biographical account of Ruiz’s numerous amorous accounts, in which Ruiz underlines the differences between good and bad love. Many speculate the authenticity behind the accounts as truly having been experienced solely by Ruiz, as they entail such ludicrous events. However, even with the ambiguity and questionable contexts of the book, el Libro de Buen Amor is considered one of the text greatest literary works of Spanish poetry.
El Libro de Buen Amor is written as an exemplum type text where Ruiz details a variety of love stories, traditional bucolic poems, and fables. The book is meant as a guide for those who want to learn how to love the moral way. Ruiz aims to guide us towards the love of God and away from the carnal, primate love. As a man of God, Ruiz reminds us that we are all sinners and that man lives for two things; one includes sustainment and the other a female companion. Because we all are born sinners, we are inclined to sin, rather than to strive for a moral life. Juan Ruiz gives us a guide to avoid this carnal love or ‘bad love’. Within his texts, he servers as a mediator between man and God, but a mediator who has sinned before and can now direct us towards this moral and holy love.
Juan Ruiz writes his Libro de Buen Amor as an entertainment piece. His writings are truly slick, and so one must pay careful attention to detail as there are multiple ways to interpret a single writing. He warns us against misinterpreting his work, using the metaphor that his look is like an instrument and it is up to the reader to ‘play’ the instrument the right way. If you don’t play the instrument correctly, the instrument is not at fault. The player is. Ruiz creates this labyrinth of writings, through which we must find and unveil the true moral of his stories. His poem is filled with subversive meanings, and so we have to question the reality of the literal words and must look to the deeper meanings of the text. Much of what we interpret from his book is highly irreligious and ironic, yet undoubted humorous.
Most of his book details his failed amorous adventures, in which he encounters el amor malo, yet what he proclaims to his audience is his helping us find the truth in what is ‘good love’. His stories largely entail adventures filled with seduction, sin and lust. He creates a paradoxical account that mocks various aspects of life. We can say that his writings within the book are framed with subversive irreligious innuendos parodying women, the church, and even himself.
Much like the multidimensional style of his stories, Ruiz’ literal use of language is a combination various tongues. El Libro de Buen Amor was first written in Castilian, and interestingly, during the time that this book was written, much of the work in Castilian was actually written our modern day Galician-Portuguese. And so, along with the book being originally written in Galician -Portuguese, the book is also filled with Old Spanish vernacular along with referential fables and biblical allusions, making it a difficult text to interpret. El Libro de Buen Amor is a book that is meant to entertain, but one that needs to be read with astute attention. Ruiz seeks to unmask the ambiguities of love and guide us to experiencing ‘good love’ with his series of amorous accounts; however, he creates a difficult text to interpret through the use of language, camouflaging his words with hidden lyrical puzzles and meanings.