Tirant lo Blanch; a study of its authorship, principal sources and historical settingVaeth, Joseph Anthony
History
Tirant lo Blanch; a study of its authorship, principal sources and historical setting
Vaeth, Joseph Anthony
Martorell, Joanot, -1468. Tirant lo Blanch
In the first place, we do not know what the four parts of the book are.
Martorell, at the beginning of the work, probably intended to divide
it into a number of parts, for, after the dedication and the prologue,
we read: “Comença la primera part del libre de Tirant la qual tracta
de certs virtuosos actes que feu lo Comte Guillem de Ueroych en los
seus benaventurats darrers dies.” Then, in the chapter immediately
following this caption, we find these words: “E per tant com la
divina providencia ha ordenat, e li plau que los .vii. planets donen
influencia en lo mon e tenen domini sobre la humana natura.... per ço
ab lo diuinal adiutori sera departit lo present libre de caualleria
en .vii. parts principals.... La primera part sera del principi de
caualleria. La segona sera del stament e offici de caualleria, etc.”
After informing us of what these seven parts shall treat, he makes this
puzzling statement: “Les quals .vii. parts de caualleria seran deduydes
en serta part del libre.”[29] Here, then, we have the conflicting
statements that the book is to be divided into seven parts, and then
follows the announcement that these seven parts shall be produced in a
certain part of the work. But nowhere in it do we find any indications
that the author attempted to make such a division. It is true, as we
have already stated, that the beginning of the first part is announced,
but after that no mention of the beginning or end of any other part is
made. A logical division into four almost equal parts is absolutely
impossible. But we do find that in Chapters XXXI-XXXVI some of the
subjects mentioned in the proposed divisions of the work are treated
and discussed.
[29] Here commences the first part of the book of Tirant, which
treats of certain great deeds done by the Earl, William of
Warwick, in his last blessed days.... And inasmuch as Divine
Providence has ordained and is pleased that the seven planets
exert an influence over the world and hold dominion over human
nature. ... on account of this, with divine aid, this book of
chivalry will be divided into seven principal parts.... The first
part shall treat of the beginning of chivalry. The second shall
treat of the state and profession of chivalry, etc.... These
seven parts shall be presented in a certain part of the book.
An examination of Lull’s _Libre del Orde d’Cauayleria_ will explain the
inconsistency. In this book we find, in the “Incipit Prologus,” the
following words:
“Per Significança de les .vii. planetes ... que gouernen e ordonen
los corsos terrenals, departim aquest libre d’cauayleria en .vii.
parts.... La primera part es d’l començament d’cauayleria. La segona
es del offici de cauayleria, etc.”[30]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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