'Hazer nuevo lo que no es': Imitation in Fray Luis de León's 'Huid, contentos, de mi triste pecho'. (3rd May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thompson, Colin
• Is Part Of: Hispanic research journal. Volume 17:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 187
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2016-05-03
• Subjects: Fray Luis de León -- imitation -- imagery -- classical poetry -- biblical translations; Fray Luis de León -- imitación -- imaginería -- poesía clásica -- traducciones bíblicas; Language and culture -- Spanish-speaking countries -- Periodicals; Language and culture -- Portuguese-speaking countries -- Periodicals; Spanish philology -- Periodicals; Portuguese philology -- Periodicals; Spain -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Portugal -- Civilization -- Periodicals; Latin America -- Civilization -- Periodicals; 909.097561
• DOI: 10.1080/14682737.2016.1156339
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-2737

Abstract

Abstract : 'Huid, contentos, de mi triste pecho' is exceptional in Fray Luis's 'Odas originales' in terms of both form and content. It is the only example among them of the verse form of the terceto, or terceto encadenado, while the tone of the poem is largely pessimistic, introspective, and self-analytical. Critics have usually interpreted it as referring to a moment of hope which came to nothing during his long imprisonment, and which may indeed have spurred its composition. However, this article is more concerned with the poem's literary connections, its imagery, and some of the puzzles of interpretation which it poses. It examines in particular the nature of the first-person voice, in the context of the clear allusions to Garcilaso's poetry in the opening verses and of the links with Fray Luis's own verse translation in tercetos of the book of Job, and it suggests how his subtle handling of language can shed light on some of the poem's more problematic passages.