
Tirant lo Blanc and Medieval Narrative
Code: 105843Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Catalan Philology: Literary Studies and Linguistics | OB | 3 |
| English and Catalan Studies | OB | 3 |
| Catalan and Spanish Studies | OB | 3 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Josep Pujol Gomez
- Email :
- josep.pujol@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
None.
Objectives
This subject offers an overview of medieval narrative (chivalric romance and sentimental prose) against the backdrop of European developments in the late middle ages. Focus will be on a minutious reading of Tirant lo Blanc (1464) and one of its main sources (Joan Roís de Corella's mythological writings). Both language analysis and critical interpretation are of paramount importance. The relationship between these texts and the classical tradition (either in the original or in translation) is also examined.
At the end of the course, students are expected (a) to have a general knowledge of all relevant authors and genres, (b) to have a good grasp of how a literary tradition is built up, and (c) to be able to produce accurate commentaries on any of the works included in the syllabus after having consulted the relevant bibliography.
Learning outcomes
- Write text commentaries from a critical standpoint.
- Identify principal and secondary ideas and express them using correct language.
- Identify the relationships between literature and history, art and other cultural movements.
- Comment on literary texts, using the instruments acquired, with regard to the historical, social and cultural context.
- Critically interpret literary works, taking into account the relationships between the different areas within literature and their relationship to humanistic, artistic and social areas.
- Produce normatively correct written and oral texts.
- Use technological resources (digital and audiovisual) to acquire knowledge and apply it in language and literature.
- Produce written work and oral presentations that are effective and framed in the appropriate register.
- Gain a greater capacity for reading, interpreting and critically analysing literary and linguistic texts.
- Make appropriate use of the knowledge acquired in order to collect data and handle documentary sources in the study of Catalan language and literature.
- Respect the opinions, values, behaviour and customs of others.
- Use IT tools and be able to consult specific documentary sources.
- Master oral and written expression in Catalan.
- Produce work in accordance with academic ethics.
- Write original essays, showing mastery of the relevant literature, on medieval authors and works.
- Explain the context of medieval Catalan literature and relate works to their historical and cultural context.
- Describe and interpret the Western cultural tradition, from the classical period to the late Middle Ages, and recognise features of the Western tradition in a medieval text.
- Identify themes and motifs of the classical and medieval European tradition in any of its literary and artistic manifestations.
- Discern the sex/gender factor in the configuration of the literary canon.
- Identify the main and secondary ideas and express them with linguistic correctness.
- Properly apply the knowledge gained to data collection and management of documentary sources application to the study of Catalan language and literature.
- Work independently in the synchronic and diachronic study of Catalan language and literature.
- Produce written and oral texts with correction rules.
- Maintain an attitude of respect for the opinions, values, behaviors and practices of others.
- Identify relationships between literature and history, art and other cultural movements.
- Comment on literary texts, apply the acquired tools and take into account the historical and sociocultural context.
- Critically interpret literary works take into account the relationships between different areas of literature and its relationships with human, artistic and social areas.
- Apply the tools and know consult the specific documentary sources.
- Expose knowledge about the history, art and other cultural movements.
- Demonstrate a basic level, knowledge of medieval Catalan language, and draft versions of modern medieval Catalan texts.
- Produce advanced-level critical texts on the main trends, the most significant authors and the most representative works in Catalan literature.
- Write original and complex trials, fluent in the relevant literature on authors and works of medieval period.
- Develop critical texts about the trends, authors and works of poetry and prose of the most significant medieval Catalan literature.
- Interpret the Western cultural tradition, from the classical period to the end of the Middle Ages, and recognize a medieval text detail the features of Western tradition.
- Identify themes and motifs of European classical and medieval tradition in all its literary and artistic events.
- Identifying the main and secondary ideas and expressing them with linguistic correctness.
- Develop effective written work and oral presentations and adapted to the appropriate register.
- Strengthen the capacity of reading, interpretation and critical analysis of literary texts and language.
- Plan, organise and carry out work in a team.
- Identifying the relationships of literature with history, art or other cultural movements.
- Commenting on literary texts, applying the acquired tools and taking into account the historical and sociocultural context.
- Critically interpreting literary works taking into account the relationships between the different areas of literature and its relationships with human, artistic and social areas.
- Apply the tools and know consult the documentary sources.
- Produce critical texts on the main trends and the most significant authors and works of poetry and prose in Catalan literature.
- Write complex original essays, showing mastery of the relevant literature, on medieval authors and works.
- Demonstrate basic level, knowledge of Catalan medieval, and modern Catalan to write versions of medieval texts.
- Interpret the Western cultural tradition, from the classical period to the late Middle Ages, and pinpoint features of the Western tradition in a medieval text.
- Recognise the context of advanced medieval Catalan literature and relate works to their historical and cultural context.
Contents
1. An overview of medieval narrative (12th-14th c.). The chivalric romance: from its birth to the Arthurian Vulgate.
2. Sentimental romance: genre and sources. Translations, literacy and cultural changes in the late Middle Ages. Italian prose writing: Boccaccio. The Història de Frondino i Brisona and Mossèn Gras's Tragèdia de Lançalot. Joan Roís de Corella's prose: myth and the rewriting of Ovid; autobiographical fiction in his Tragèdia de Caldesa.
3. Chivalry in the late Middle Ages. Medieval chronicles and classical historiography. Jacob Xalabín. París e Viana. Curial e Güelfa: sources and genre.
4. Joanot Martorell and Tirant lo Blanc. Date, printings and translations. Joanot Martorell's life: chivalry, court, and literary culture. A close reading of Tirant lo Blanc: Tirant in England; Tirant in Sicily and Rhodes; Tirant at Constantinople: historical and true-to-life episodes; love cunning and military strategy; prose-writing models. Tirant as a crusader. The hero's death.
5. Jaume Roig's Espill: overview and interpretation. Religious and sentimental prose before the printing press.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research (bibliography), study and use of the Campus Virtual | 20 | 0.8 | |
| Essay writing and oral delivery | 10 | 0.4 | |
| Students' own reading of selected texts | 50 | 2 | |
| Seminars (reading and debating) | 20 | 0.8 | |
| Lectures | 25 | 1 |
Lectures will provide the historical context of the developments of medieval Catalan narrative as well as the necessary background for the study of its major novels, Tirant lo Blanc in particular. Classroom seminars will endow him with the ability to analyse a specific aspect of any of these works and to comment on previous critical studies.
The calendar will be available on the first day of class. Students will find all information on the Virtual Campus: the description of the activities, teaching materials, and any necessary information for the proper follow-up of the subject. In case of a change of teaching modality for health reasons, teachers will make readjustments in the schedule and methodologies.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participation and tutorial sessions | 10% | 2 | 0.08 | 8, 9, 11, 13, 24, 37, 38, 41 |
| Text commentaries | 15 | 6 | 0.24 | 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 23, 26, 27, 30, 31, 33, 36, 37, 38, 41, 42, 44, 46 |
| Written exam | 50% | 3 | 0.12 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 16, 17, 18, 20, 23, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 34, 35, 36, 38, 40, 41, 42, 46, 47, 48 |
| Essay writing | 25% | 14 | 0.56 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 |
Students will be assessed by means of (a) written exam, (b) text commentaries, (c) individual essay, and (d) participation and tutorial sessions. The final qualification will result from the following proportion: (a) 50%, (b) 15%, (c) 25%, (d) 10%. All course assignments must be submitted in due time.
Students will receive (via Moddle) prior notice of the date and all relevant information concerning their right to review any assessment item with their teacher.
Submission of an essay and the written exam are required for assessment. Failure to submit either of the two exercises will result in Not assessable.
Previous evaluation of a set of activities equivalent to two thirds of the total value of the assignments and a minim final mark of 3.5 are required to opt for reassessment. Reassessment may include a written exam and/or submitting again an essay which had not reached the pass mark (5). Students who pass the reassessment will obtain a 5.0 mark.
Any impropriety (such as plagiarism or misusse of AI) that may be conducive to substantially alter the assessment of any item will result in a 0 mark for any such item (irrespectively of other disciplinary measures), and there will be no option for reassessment. Were such improper practices to take place repeatedly, the final mark for the subject concerned will be 0. The use of AI technologies is not permitted and will result in a 0 mark, without the possibility of reassessment.
In the event that exams cannot be taken onsite, they will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB’s virtual tools (original weighting will be maintained). Homework, activities and class participation will be carried out through forums, wikis and/or discussion on Teams, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools, or will offer them feasible alternatives.
Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.
Non continuous assessment
The student opting for non continuous assessment will be assessed by means of a written essay (25%), two text commentaries (15%), a written exam (50%) and an oral exam (10%). The same reassessment method as in continuous assessment will be applied.
Bibliography
1. General bibliography
Badia, Lola (dir.), Literatura medieval, 3 vols, dins Àlex Broch (dir.), Història de la literatura catalana, I-III (Barcelona: Enciclopèdia Catalana, 2013-2015).
Riquer, Martí de, Història de la literatura catalana: part antiga, 3 vols. (Barcelona: Ariel, 1964); també en 4 vols. (Barcelona: Planeta, 1984).
Riquer, Martí de, Aproximació al "Tirant lo Blanc" (Barcelona: Quaderns Crema, 1990).
Riquer, Martí de, "Tirant lo Blanc", novela de historia y de ficción (Barcelona: Sirmio, 1992).
Pujol, Josep, La memòria literària de Joanot Martorell: Models i escriptura en el "Tirant lo Blanc" (Barcelona: Publicacions de l'Abadia de Montserrat, 2002).
Beltran, Rafael, "Tirant lo Blanc": cavalleria, imaginari i escriptura (València: Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2025).
Badia, Lola, "«En les baixes antenes de vulgar poesia»: Corella, els mites i l'amor", dins el seu De Bernat Metge a Joan Roís de Corella (Barcelona: Quaderns Crema, 1988), pp. 145-180.
2. Editions of Corella's works (a) and of Joanot Martorell's Tirant lo Blanc (b)
(a)
Joan Roís de Corella, Obra profana, ed. Jordi Carbonell (València: Tres i Quatre, 1983).
Joan Roís de Corella, Tragèdia de Caldesa i altres proses, ed. Marina Gustà, pròleg de Francisco Rico (Barcelona: Eds. 62 I La Caixa, 1980).
Proses mitològiques de Joan Roís de Corella, ed. Josep Lluís Martos (València-Barcelona: PAM, 2001) [digital text in: www.narpan.net/ben/indexcorella.htm]
(b)
Joanot Martorell, Tirant lo Blanc, ed. Josep Pujol (Barcelona: Barcino, 2021) [with an introduction and notes].
Joanot Martorell, Tirant lo Blanc i altres escrits, ed. Martí de Riquer (Barcelona: Ariel, 1990); the same text, without Riquer's introduction: Barcelona: Eds. 62 I La Caixa (MOLC), 2 vols., and Barcelona: Eds. 62, 2016.
Joanot Martorell (Martí Joan de Galba), Tirant lo Blanch, ed. Albert Hauf (València: Tirant lo Blanch, 2004).
3. Editions of Twelfth- and Thirteenth-century French and Occitan romans (translated into Catalan), and of Fifteenth-century Catalan novels
L'aventura de Tristany i Isolda, selecció, traducció i postfaci de Lola Badia (Barcelona: Cal Carré, 2026).
Chrétien de Troyes, El cavaller del lleó, traducció de Meritxell Simó (Barcelona: Quaderns Crema, 2001).
Chrétien de Troyes, El conte del Graal, traducció i pròleg de Martí de Riquer (Barcelona: Quaderns Crema, 1989).
La mort del rei Artús, traducció i postfaci de Lola Badia (Barcelona: Cal Carré, 2023).
Flamenca, trad., pròleg i notes d'Anton M. Espadaler (Barcelona: Universitat de Barcelona, 2015).
Jaufré, ed., trad. i estudi d'Anton M. Espadaler (Barcelona: Barcino, 2021).
Història de Jacob Xalabín, ed. Arseni Pacheco (Barcelona: Barcino, 1964); ed. Lola Badia (Barcelona: Edicions 62, 1982); ed. Stefano M. Cingolani (Barcelona: Eds. 62, 2008). Versió al català actual: Història del príncep Jacob, traducció i postfaci d'Anton M. Espadaler (Terrassa: Cal Carré, 2025).
Història de París i Viana. Ed. facsímil de la primera impressió catalana (Girona, 1495), estudi de Pedro M. Cátedra i Modest Prats (Girona: Diputació de Girona, 1986). Versió al català actual: Història de Paris i Viana, traducció i postfaci de Gemma Pellissa (Barcelona: Cal Carré, 2025).
Mossèn Gras, Tragèdia de Lançalot, ed. Martí de Riquer (Barcelona: Quaderns Crema, 1984).
Curial e Güelfa, ed. Lola Badia iJaume Torró (Barcelona: Quaderns Crema, 2011); ed. Ramon Aramon i Serra, estudi i notes Lola Badia i Jaume Torró (Barcelona: Barcino, 2018).
Jaume Roig, Espill, ed. Antònia Carré (Barcelona: Quaderns Crema, 2006); ed. Antònia Carré (Barcelona: Barcino, 2014).
Links:
-PortalTirant lo Blanc: www.lluisvives.com/portal/tirant/
-Narpan. Cultura i literatura de la baixa edat mitjana: www.narpan.net
Software
None.
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |