TROVADORISMO EM PORTUGAL

Summary

This video delves into the history and characteristics of Trovadorismo, a literary and musical movement that flourished in Portugal during the Middle Ages. It highlights the connection between poetry and music, the importance of courtly love, and the influence of feudal society. The video covers key elements like the **Cantiga de Amor** and **Cantiga de Amigo**, detailing their structure and themes. The origins of Trovadorismo in the **Provençal region** and the role of **Dom Dinis**, a renowned poet and king, are also discussed. It explores how Trovadorismo shaped the development of the **Portuguese language** and its cultural significance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Trovadorismo period in Portugal spanned from the 11th to the 15th century, during the Middle Ages, with feudalism as the dominant socio-economic system.
• 😀 The Church's influence was strong during this era, with a central belief in God as the center of the universe and a hierarchical structure of power.
• 😀 The cultural context of Trovadorismo is deeply tied to medieval knights, their codes of honor, and their relationships with women, particularly through courtly love and chivalric ideals.
• 😀 Trovadorismo originated in the Provence region of France and spread to the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain and Portugal, with a strong connection to music and poetry.
• 😀 In the Middle Ages, most of the population was illiterate, so poetry and music were intertwined to make poems accessible and memorable through songs.
• 😀 Poems from this period were called 'cantigas' (songs), and the most common poetic forms used were redondilha maior (seven syllables) and redondilha menor (five syllables).
• 😀 One of the oldest known texts in Portuguese is the 'Cantiga da Ribeirinha' by Paio Soares Taveiros, dating back to around 1189 or 1198, showcasing the early evolution of the Portuguese language.
• 😀 The first cantigas were lyrical (sentimental) and satirical, with the lyrical ones divided into 'Cantiga de Amor' (love songs) and 'Cantiga de Amigo' (songs of friendship).
• 😀 'Cantiga de Amor' features a male narrator suffering from unrequited love, often portraying the woman as a higher social status, and the man in a subservient role.
• 😀 'Cantiga de Amigo' features a female narrator speaking about her lover, typically in a rural or countryside setting, reflecting a more direct, mutual relationship compared to the more formal courtly love in 'Cantiga de Amor.'
• 😀 'Cantiga de Maldizer' (satirical songs) were more direct in their criticism, using humor, irony, and often crude language to mock individuals or societal norms.
• 😀 The most famous Trovadorismo poets were often noblemen, with King Dinis of Portugal being one of the most well-known figures, while other performers, like minstrels, would recite and sing the poems.

Q & A

What historical context is the trovadorismo associated with?

Trovadorismo is associated with the Medieval period, spanning from the 11th to the 15th century. It was influenced by feudalism, with relationships between suzerains and vassals, and the dominant role of the Catholic Church in society. The era's worldview was centered around God, with a feudal production mode.

How did medieval chivalry influence trovadorismo?

Medieval chivalry influenced trovadorismo by shaping the code of honor and the concept of courtly love. The chivalric ideal involved knights demonstrating courtesy, protecting women, and expressing their devotion through actions like kneeling or offering promises of loyalty.

Where did trovadorismo originate and how did it spread?

Trovadorismo originated in the region of Provence, which is now part of France. It then spread across Spain and Portugal, influencing the literary traditions of these regions.

What is the relationship between music and poetry in trovadorismo?

In trovadorismo, poetry and music were intimately linked. Many poems, known as 'cantigas,' were set to music because the majority of the population could not read or write. Music allowed these poems to be shared and appreciated by a wider audience.

What is the significance of 'cantigas' in the context of Portuguese literature?

Cantigas are significant because they represent some of the oldest known written works in Portuguese, particularly in Galician-Portuguese. They were poetic expressions that reflected love, suffering, and the social hierarchy of the time.

What are the key characteristics of the earliest known cantiga in Portugal?

The earliest known cantiga in Portugal is 'Cantiga da Ribeirinha' by Paio Soares Taveiros. It is one of the oldest written works in Portuguese, dating around 1189-1198. It shows the emerging Portuguese language and highlights the societal importance of poetry in feudal Portugal.

What are the different types of cantigas in Portuguese medieval literature?

Cantigas are divided into two main categories: lyrical and satirical. Lyrical cantigas include 'cantigas de amor' and 'cantigas de amigo,' while satirical cantigas include 'cantigas de escárnio' and 'cantigas de maldizer.' Each type serves different emotional and social purposes.

What is the structure of 'cantigas de amor'?

In 'cantigas de amor,' the speaker is typically a man expressing his suffering due to unrequited love. These poems reflect a feudal structure where the woman is seen as a superior figure, like a suzerain, and the man is her vassal, suffering because of his inability to win her love.

What distinguishes 'cantigas de amigo' from 'cantigas de amor'?

The primary difference is the perspective of the speaker. In 'cantigas de amigo,' the speaker is a woman, and the poem reflects a more intimate, personal connection with her lover (who is referred to as 'amigo'). These poems often portray a simpler, more rustic setting compared to the courtly love depicted in 'cantigas de amor.'

How are 'cantigas de escárnio' and 'cantigas de maldizer' different?

'Cantigas de escárnio' are indirect satires that criticize or mock someone using irony and humor. In contrast, 'cantigas de maldizer' are direct and often vulgar attacks on a person, employing explicit language to insult or criticize.