Spanish Literature (MA)
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with in-depth methodological and theoretical knowledge in the field of Spanish literature, with a thematic and interdisciplinary approach with other disciplines in the humanities, aimed at broadening cultural horizons and consolidating critical, philological and translational skills, also useful for the training courses of future teachers.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of the cultural, historical and ideological horizons of the analyzed works; learning of theories and critical methods. Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to identify the relations of thematic associations in a textual corpus, recognize ideological differences, discover new knowledge and use properly scholarly sources.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/2022 will be provided over the coming
months based on the evolution of the public health situation
months based on the evolution of the public health situation
Course syllabus
The course, entitled «Ciencias, creencias e imaginarios (obras literarias desde la Edad Media hasta el Siglo de Oro)» ["Sciences, Beliefs and Imaginary (literary works from the Middle Ages to the Golden Age)"], consists of the following three teaching parts, which will be addressed in sequence:
A) «La ciencia de las estrellas y la cuestión de la fortuna» [«The science of the stars and the question of fortune»] (20 hours, 3 credits): We will introduce the astronomical and astrological concepts spread by Alfonso X's "scriptorium" and we will study the elaboration of the theme in three medieval works (the «Libro de buen amor», the «Corbacho» or «Arcipreste de Talavera» and the «Historia de la doncella Teodor»); we will continue with the debate on destiny, fortune and providence in treatises of the Middle Ages and in humanist 'miscellanies'.
B): «Presencias maléficas y pactos demoniacos» [«Evil presences and demonic pacts»] (20 hours, 3 credits): the idea of evil was embodied in the figure of the devil and it was developed into the literary motif of the pact with the devil. We will study the legend of Theophilus (Berceo, Alfonso X and the exemplary literature of the Middle Ages), the legend of Basil (Sánchez de Vercial) and the "exemplo" XLV of «El conde Lucanor». We will continue with an analysis of three plays of the Siglo de Oro: «El esclavo del demonio» (1612), by Mira de Amescua; «El condenado por desconfiado» (1635), by Tirso de Molina; and «El mágico prodigioso» (1637), by Pedro Calderón de la Barca.
C) «Supersticiones, hechicerías y brujas» [«Superstitions, sorcery and witches»](20 hours, 3 credits): We will talk about the repressive action of the Inquisition; we will analyze two treatises against superstition and witchcraft (Fray Martín de Castañega and Pedro Ciruelo); we will conclude with the Cervantine elaboration of the theme in «El licenciado Vidriera», «El coloquio de los perros» and some chapters of «Persiles».
During the course seminars will be available for students.
The course is held entirely in Spanish. The program is valid until September 2023. From the autumn session 2023 only the program 2022-23 will be valid.
A) «La ciencia de las estrellas y la cuestión de la fortuna» [«The science of the stars and the question of fortune»] (20 hours, 3 credits): We will introduce the astronomical and astrological concepts spread by Alfonso X's "scriptorium" and we will study the elaboration of the theme in three medieval works (the «Libro de buen amor», the «Corbacho» or «Arcipreste de Talavera» and the «Historia de la doncella Teodor»); we will continue with the debate on destiny, fortune and providence in treatises of the Middle Ages and in humanist 'miscellanies'.
B): «Presencias maléficas y pactos demoniacos» [«Evil presences and demonic pacts»] (20 hours, 3 credits): the idea of evil was embodied in the figure of the devil and it was developed into the literary motif of the pact with the devil. We will study the legend of Theophilus (Berceo, Alfonso X and the exemplary literature of the Middle Ages), the legend of Basil (Sánchez de Vercial) and the "exemplo" XLV of «El conde Lucanor». We will continue with an analysis of three plays of the Siglo de Oro: «El esclavo del demonio» (1612), by Mira de Amescua; «El condenado por desconfiado» (1635), by Tirso de Molina; and «El mágico prodigioso» (1637), by Pedro Calderón de la Barca.
C) «Supersticiones, hechicerías y brujas» [«Superstitions, sorcery and witches»](20 hours, 3 credits): We will talk about the repressive action of the Inquisition; we will analyze two treatises against superstition and witchcraft (Fray Martín de Castañega and Pedro Ciruelo); we will conclude with the Cervantine elaboration of the theme in «El licenciado Vidriera», «El coloquio de los perros» and some chapters of «Persiles».
During the course seminars will be available for students.
The course is held entirely in Spanish. The program is valid until September 2023. From the autumn session 2023 only the program 2022-23 will be valid.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, held entirely in Spanish, is reserved for students who have completed the three-year course and who have already achieved good linguistic and literary skills.
Teaching methods
he course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures; reading and commenting of excerpts from the works in the program; collaboration with students: analysis, translation, reflection, discussion and research; student reports.
Teaching Resources
The course site is on the platform Ariel (https://mrossols2.ariel.ctu.unimi.it), where you will find texts, anthologies and critical materials provided by the teacher. For each part of the course, specific critical essays on individual works or authors or on general questions will be made available. This is the list of compulsory readings for the various didactic parts and the reference editions:
A) Anthological selections and critical materials collected in ARIEL.
Juan Ruiz, Arcipreste de Hita, «Libro de buen amor», ed. Alberto Blecua, Cátedra (Letras Hispánicas), Madrid 1992 (or other edition available) [selection of pieces in ARIEL].
Martínez de Toledo, Alfonso, «Arcipreste de Talavera o Corbacho», ed. Michael Gerli, Cátedra, Madrid, 2011 (or other edition available) [selection of pieces in ARIEL].
«Historia de la donzella Teodor» in «Narrativa popular de la Edad Media», ed. Nieves Baranda y Víctor Infantes, Akal, Madrid, 1995 (or other edition available). Torquemada, Antonio, «Jardín de flores curiosas», ed. Giovanni Allegra, Castalia (Clásicos Castalia), Madrid, 1982; or ed. Enrique Suárez Figaredo, "Lemir" 16 (2012),https://parnaseo.uv.es/Lemir/Revista/Revista16/Textos/07_Jardin_Flores_Torquemada.pdf [selection in ARIEL].
B) Anthological selections and critical materials collected in ARIEL.
Gonzalo de Berceo, «Milagros de Nuestra Señora», ed. Fernando Baños, estudio preliminar Isabel Uría, Crítica (Biblioteca Clásica), Barcelona, 1997 (or other edition available) [selection in ARIEL].
Don Juan Manuel, «El Conde Lucanor», ed. Alfonso Calvo Sotelo, Cátedra (Letras Hispánicas), Madrid, 1996 (or other edition available) [selection in ARIEL].
Clemente Sánchez, «Libro de los exemplos por A.B.C.», ed. Andrea Baldissera, Pisa, ETS, 2005 (or other edition available) [selection in ARIEL].
Antonio Mira de Amescua, «El esclavo del demonio», Alicante, Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes, 2014.
Tirso de Molina, «El condenado por desconfiado», ed. Alfredo Rodríguez López-Vázquez, Madrid, Cátedra, 2008 (or other edition available).
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, «El mágico prodigioso», ed. Natalia Fernández, Barcelona, Crítica, 2009; ed. Bruce W. Wardropper, Madrid, Cátedra, 2006 (or other edition available).
C) Anthological selections and critical materials collected in ARIEL.
Fray Martín de Castañega, «Tratado de las supersticiones y hechicerías», ed. Fabián Alejandro Campagne, Buenos Aires, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras/Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1997 (available online:
Fray_Martín_de_Castañega_Tratado_de_las_Supersticiones_y_Hechizerias_Colección_de_libros_raros_olvidados_y_curiosos_Buenos_Aires_Facultad_de_Filosofía_y_Letras_Universidad_de_Buenos_Aires_1997_210_pp_Edición_moderna_con_estudio_preliminar_y_notas) [selection in ARIEL].
Ciruelo, Pedro, Reprobación de las supersticiones y hechicerías [ed. facsímil de Madrid 1592], Maxtor, Madrid, 2005 [selection in ARIEL].
Miguel de Cervantes, «El licenciado Vidriera» e «El coloquio de los perros», in Novelas ejemplares, ed. Harry Sieber, Madrid, Cátedra (Letras Hispánicas), 1988 (or other edition available).
Miguel de Cervantes, «Los trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda», ed. Carlos Romero Muñoz, Cátedra (Letras Hispánicas), Madrid, 2003 (or other edition available) [selection in ARIEL].
Eva Lara Alberola, Hechiceras y brujas en la literatura española de los Siglos de Oro, Valencia, Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2010 (https://parnaseo.uv.es/Editorial/Parnaseo13/Parnaeo13.pdf)
For further information: García Soormally, Mina, «Magia, hechicería y brujería. Entre la Celestina y Cervantes», Renacimiento, Sevilla, 2011 (optional).
A) Anthological selections and critical materials collected in ARIEL.
Juan Ruiz, Arcipreste de Hita, «Libro de buen amor», ed. Alberto Blecua, Cátedra (Letras Hispánicas), Madrid 1992 (or other edition available) [selection of pieces in ARIEL].
Martínez de Toledo, Alfonso, «Arcipreste de Talavera o Corbacho», ed. Michael Gerli, Cátedra, Madrid, 2011 (or other edition available) [selection of pieces in ARIEL].
«Historia de la donzella Teodor» in «Narrativa popular de la Edad Media», ed. Nieves Baranda y Víctor Infantes, Akal, Madrid, 1995 (or other edition available). Torquemada, Antonio, «Jardín de flores curiosas», ed. Giovanni Allegra, Castalia (Clásicos Castalia), Madrid, 1982; or ed. Enrique Suárez Figaredo, "Lemir" 16 (2012),https://parnaseo.uv.es/Lemir/Revista/Revista16/Textos/07_Jardin_Flores_Torquemada.pdf [selection in ARIEL].
B) Anthological selections and critical materials collected in ARIEL.
Gonzalo de Berceo, «Milagros de Nuestra Señora», ed. Fernando Baños, estudio preliminar Isabel Uría, Crítica (Biblioteca Clásica), Barcelona, 1997 (or other edition available) [selection in ARIEL].
Don Juan Manuel, «El Conde Lucanor», ed. Alfonso Calvo Sotelo, Cátedra (Letras Hispánicas), Madrid, 1996 (or other edition available) [selection in ARIEL].
Clemente Sánchez, «Libro de los exemplos por A.B.C.», ed. Andrea Baldissera, Pisa, ETS, 2005 (or other edition available) [selection in ARIEL].
Antonio Mira de Amescua, «El esclavo del demonio», Alicante, Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes, 2014.
Tirso de Molina, «El condenado por desconfiado», ed. Alfredo Rodríguez López-Vázquez, Madrid, Cátedra, 2008 (or other edition available).
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, «El mágico prodigioso», ed. Natalia Fernández, Barcelona, Crítica, 2009; ed. Bruce W. Wardropper, Madrid, Cátedra, 2006 (or other edition available).
C) Anthological selections and critical materials collected in ARIEL.
Fray Martín de Castañega, «Tratado de las supersticiones y hechicerías», ed. Fabián Alejandro Campagne, Buenos Aires, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras/Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1997 (available online:
Fray_Martín_de_Castañega_Tratado_de_las_Supersticiones_y_Hechizerias_Colección_de_libros_raros_olvidados_y_curiosos_Buenos_Aires_Facultad_de_Filosofía_y_Letras_Universidad_de_Buenos_Aires_1997_210_pp_Edición_moderna_con_estudio_preliminar_y_notas) [selection in ARIEL].
Ciruelo, Pedro, Reprobación de las supersticiones y hechicerías [ed. facsímil de Madrid 1592], Maxtor, Madrid, 2005 [selection in ARIEL].
Miguel de Cervantes, «El licenciado Vidriera» e «El coloquio de los perros», in Novelas ejemplares, ed. Harry Sieber, Madrid, Cátedra (Letras Hispánicas), 1988 (or other edition available).
Miguel de Cervantes, «Los trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda», ed. Carlos Romero Muñoz, Cátedra (Letras Hispánicas), Madrid, 2003 (or other edition available) [selection in ARIEL].
Eva Lara Alberola, Hechiceras y brujas en la literatura española de los Siglos de Oro, Valencia, Publicacions de la Universitat de València, 2010 (https://parnaseo.uv.es/Editorial/Parnaseo13/Parnaeo13.pdf)
For further information: García Soormally, Mina, «Magia, hechicería y brujería. Entre la Celestina y Cervantes», Renacimiento, Sevilla, 2011 (optional).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral interview in Spanish, in which the teacher will ask questions aimed at ascertaining both general theoretical knowledge (relating to the cultural age and methodological tools, according to the topics presented in class ), both the ability to analyze and frame the texts (the works and the anthological selections included in the course). In the evaluation, the ability to highlight the relationships between works, thematic analogies and ideological differences will be appreciated. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths, and the student has the right to refuse it (in this case it will be verbalized as "withdrawn").
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in connection with the competent Office.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in connection with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours