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The Poetics of Speech in the Medieval Spanish Epic

Matthew Bailey author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:University of Toronto Press

Published:1st Jul '10

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The Poetics of Speech in the Medieval Spanish Epic cover

Matthew Bailey's work on Medieval Hispanic epic poetry is most impressive. It is a unique contribution to our knowledge of the Old Spanish epic and offers a highly original advance in its field. This book will, of course, primarily be of interest to Hispano-Medievalists, but given its enlightened and far-reaching views - based on very wide reading - it will also be of significant interest to all Medievalists and Folklorists, regardless of specialty. -- Samuel Armistead, Department of Spanish, University of California, Davis

The Poetics of Speech in the Medieval Spanish Epic explores the composition of manuscript texts in thirteenth-century Spain.

The Poetics of Speech in the Medieval Spanish Epic explores the composition of manuscript texts in thirteenth-century Spain. Of the vernacular epic poems originating with the minstrels of this era, only three full-length works remain: Cantar de Mio Cid, Poema de Fernán González, and Mocedades de Rodrigo, all preserved and recorded by members of the clergy. By analyzing expressive traits found in these three poems, Matthew Bailey links them to the cognitive processes that take place in the minds of speakers as narration unfolds.

In Latin and other vernacular texts from the same period, authors identify their sources as oral, describe oral compositional techniques, and detail modes of processing texts in medieval monastic environments. Using the information provided by these details, as well as a close technical reading of the three epic poems, Bailey incorporates the methodologies and concepts of discourse analysis in an examination of expression in the Spanish epic and points convincingly to oral composition as the initial step in text creation for the period.

‘Bailey has given us an extremely useful book. The ‘introduction’ at least should be in the hands of all honors students of mediaeval Spanish literature… The book as a whole will provide much food for thought to any serious Hispano-medievalist.’

-- David G. Pattison * Olifant vol 27:2012 *

‘Bailey weaves masterful close readings of passages from the three canonical works – Cantar de mio Cid, Poema de Fernan González, and the Mocedades de Rodrigo – into an argument for oral composition and the role of speech through the lens of cognitive approaches to literature and discourse analysis.’

-- Simone Pinet * Hispanic Review vol 81:02:2013 *

The Poetics of Speech is committed and intelligent piece of work… It is an important part of a modern, engaged and critical reconfiguration of the study of the Iberian Middle Ages.’

-- Anthony John Lappin * Modern Language Review vol 111:04:20

ISBN: 9781442641563

Dimensions: 239mm x 158mm x 14mm

Weight: 400g

200 pages