Diseccionando monstruosidades de libros de caballerías castellanos (ss. XVI-XVII): una aproximación a las formas, funciones y sentidos de los gigantes del género

The monstrous discourse in the Castilian romances of Chivalry, a very popular literary genre in the 16th and 17th centuries, constitutes a real challenge of analysis, for the reason that it is composed of many elements –sources, monster archetypes, monstrification procedures, functions, etc.– which...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Walter J. Carrizo
Format: Article
Language:Spanish
Published: Civilisations et Littératures d’Espagne et d’Amérique du Moyen Âge aux Lumières (CLEA) - Paris Sorbonne 2020-10-01
Series:E-Spania
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Online Access:http://journals.openedition.org/e-spania/37442
Description
Summary:The monstrous discourse in the Castilian romances of Chivalry, a very popular literary genre in the 16th and 17th centuries, constitutes a real challenge of analysis, for the reason that it is composed of many elements –sources, monster archetypes, monstrification procedures, functions, etc.– which present multiple variations. However, we could take it apart into large units of meaning to lighten its exam. One of these corresponds to giants. Numerous, they also are very complex. They can be primitive, though, as a general rule, they wear armours, ride big horses and fight in a chivalrous manner, as if they were the grotesque reverse of the noble heroes. In addition, they are polytheists –worshiping even Muhammad– and idolaters, without neglecting they hate Christianity, although they convert to this religion sometimes.The aim of this paper is to provide some interpretation keys to facilitate a better understanding of these monstrosities. To achieve it, we will analyze their figurative, behavioral, axiological and religious dimensions.
ISSN:1951-6169