El laberinto de Fortuna
Quick Summary
El laberinto de Fortuna, also known as Las trescientas, is a significant poem written in 1444 by Juan de Mena. This work, which means "The Labyrinth of Fortune," is a complex allegorical poem that draws inspiration from classical authors like Lucan and Virgil, as well as Dante. Mena used arte mayor, a 12-syllable line, to create a stately rhythm suitable for his epic vision of Spain. While its themes are medieval, Mena's use of Latinisms, rhetorical devices, and classical references foreshadowed the Renaissance in Spain. The poem explores history, both past and future, and is considered a more conscious attempt to rival Dante's work, though it is sometimes criticized for pedantry and over-Latinization.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
