History of Spanish and Portuguese Literature (Vol 1 of 2)

** "History of Spanish and Portuguese Literature (Vol 1 of 2)" by Friedrich Bouterwek, presents a wide-ranging look at the development of literature in Spain and Portugal, starting from their beginnings through to the early modern times. Aiming to broaden the understanding of these literatures for English readers, the book journeys through centuries of poetry and prose, opening with the important contributions stemming from the Iberian Peninsula and moving into a detailed study of the Middle Ages. It shows how the Arabic language influenced the emerging romance languages thanks to the Moorish presence and shines a light on the beginnings of poetry, the impact of historical characters like Alfonso X, and important pieces of work such as "El Poema del Cid," exploring ideas of national identity, cross-cultural interaction, and the close ties between what happened in the past and what was written. **