Women of the Romancero: A Voice of Reconciliation
Frank L. Odd
full of colour, power, ambitions and decisions which make for poetry, they also feared that power held its abuses up to a harsh light. Kings, be it noted, come off badly in ballads. Most them, as C. Smith has observed, at best irresolute quick-tempered, worst positively evil. Indeed popular lament Cantar de Mio Cid, iDios, que buen vasallo si oviesse seflore!, finds an echoing resonance Romancero many resolute local hero lessons king valor honor while asserting his own rights personality. Standing unjust or overweening rulers is, seems, very stuff heroes are made. Still, ballads challenge particular excesses failings individual kings never question legitimacy royal power; become revolutionary songs protest, view the world social hierarchy were both divinely ordained. Rather, served give reminders establishment should behave itself, remember is mortal . even this life fall from misery not unknown.' That did so function course, by now well documented.2 What remains acknowledged women men do reminding, albeit somewhat different ways. Whereas such male protagonists Bernardo del Carpio, Fernin Gonzalez, Cid derived late epic Mocedades may raise their mailed fist against monarch's presumptuous encroaching ways, voices, denouncing circumscribing actions goading feckless ones action, persistent advocacy compassion, justice simple good sense human affairs. Removed field
Hispania