The Abencerraje

The Abencerraje
Author	Anonymous
Country	Spain
Language	Spanish
Set in	Spain, c. 1410-1424
Publisher	Antonio de Villegas
Media type	Print

The Abencerraje also known as The History of the Abencerraje and the Lovely Jarifa (Modern Spanish: Historia del Abencerraje y la hermosa Jarifa) is a novella written in sixteenth century Spain. Although it was published anonymously, some scholars believe that its author could have been Jerónimo Jiménez de Urrea.[1] Different versions were published between 1561 and 1565 but the most polished and complete version is considered to be the one included in the Inventario, a compilation by Antonio de Villegas and printed in Medina del Campo in 1565. The book is set in a time where Muslims were discriminated against in Spain and focuses on showing how its characters, Abindarráez, a Moor, and Rodrigo de Narváez, a Christian, can get along despite having religious differences. The story touches on the human aspects such as love and chivalry portrayed by the characters rather than their religious differences.

Synopsis

The tale is set in the 15th century, when John II reigned over the Crown of Castile. A highly revered knight, Rodrigo de Narváez, is introduced. He performed many heroic feats during the war against the Moors, and for this he is named the governor of Álora as well as Antequera. In Álora, Narváez and his men go out to patrol the city. The group splits up, four squires following Narváez and five squires going alone. The group of five encounters a Moorish man on a horse, and they try to attack him. They are defeated, and Narváez comes over to fight the man. Exhausted from the fight with the squires, the Moorish man is soon overpowered by Narváez. The man falls off his horse to the ground and says that he cannot be “vanquished” by Narváez. Narváez helps the man up and asks him to explain himself, for he is noticeably troubled.

The Moor introduces himself as Abindarráez the Younger, a scion of the Abencerrajes of Granada. The Abencerrajes were the greatest noblemen in Granada. Everyone in the kingdom revered them. The king of Granada is told that two of the Abencerrajes and ten other men planned to assassinate the king. The king decides to execute all involved in the plot. The people of Granada mourn the loss of the Abencerrajes. The king decides that no Abencerraje would be allowed to live in Granada except for Abindarráez's father and uncle. Any future Abencerraje must be raised outside of Granada and any daughter must be married outside of Granada. When Abindarráez is born, his father sends him to the governor of Cártama. He is raised alongside the governor's daughter, Jarifa; the children are told they are siblings. They form a close bond for one another and eventually learn that they are not related. They fall in love and try to keep it a secret, but eventually, the king of Granada promotes the governor of Cártama telling him to move to Coín, leaving Abindarráez behind. Jarifa tells Abindarráez of her love for him, and she plans to meet with him when her father is away, so they can marry. This is why Abindarráez was riding past Álora. Moved by his tale, Rodrigo de Narváez allows Abindarráez to go to Coín if he promises to return in three days to be Narváez's captive.

Abindarráez finishes his journey to Coín where he and Jarifa marry. Jarifa tells Abindarráez of her plan to give him ownership over her father's land. Abindarráez then tells Jarifa the promise he made to Narváez, and instead of allowing him to go alone, Jarifa journeys with him back to Álora so she can be captive with Abindarráez. On the way back, an old man tells them the tale of one of the many memorable deeds of Narváez. While Narváez was governor of Antequera, he fell in love with a beautiful lady there. He did many things for her, however since she was married, she paid him no attention. When she asks her husband about Narváez, he speaks of him very positively, praising his virtues and deeds as a knight. The lady feels bad she does not love Narváez, and the next day she professes her love for him, but when Narváez learns she is already married, he decides to leave as to not hurt her husband.

Abindarráez and Jarifa arrive at Álora. Rodrigo de Narváez takes them in, gives them food and a room, as well as treating Abindarráez's wounds. Abindarráez asks Narváez for help in finding a solution to his troubles. Narváez sends a letter to the king of Granada explaining the situation, telling him he will pardon his prioners' ransom as long as he makes Jarifa's father pardon them for marrying without his consent. Jarifa's father begrudgingly pardons both of them, and the couple return to Coín. There Abindarráez sends a letter to Narváez expressing his gratitude and respect , as well as sending him a gift of six thousand gold coins,[2] four horses, four lances with gold hilts and tips, and four shields. Narváez accepts everything except the gold, which he sends back. He finally sends a letter to Jarifa explaining his love and respect for Abindarráez.

Themes

Generosity

The entirety of The Abencerraje contains themes of generosity. Each of the characters is extremely generous to one another. Rodrigo de Narváez allows Abindarráez to go to Coín to marry Jarifa. Many other stories of this time would see Narváez's character killing Abindarráez, or capturing him rather than allowing him to marry and come back. When Abindarráez and Jarifa return to Álora, Narváez allows them to stay and even helps solve their problems. Lastly, Abindarráez's gift to Narváez at the end of the story is a large sum of money as well as four horses, lances, and shields.

Valor

Although Rodrigo de Narvaez is spoken of as brave and fearless by those who know of him in The Abencerraje, the theme of valor truly shines through the character of Abindarraez the Younger, a Moorish knight on his way to see his lover and complete their marriage. On his journey, he is confronted by Narvaez and his companions on the road near his castle in Alora, where Abindarraez single-handedly bests everyone except for Narvaez. It is later revealed that only Abindarraez's love for his lady, the lovely Jarifa, granted him his strength at that moment, as the two had been apart for quite some time, and Abindarraez was certain nothing would get in his way of reuniting with his bride. The feisty Moor creates such a ruckus defending himself that Narvaez's group is forced to deviate from their patrol to aide in the fight.

Chivalry

In The Abencerraje, chivalry is most often displayed through Rodrigo de Narvaez and his high moral principles through his faith. After he and his men manage to capture Abindarraez the Younger on his way to Coin, Abindarraez is treated with respect and dignity as a prisoner of Narvaez. After Abindarraez explains why he is upset after being captured, Narvaez takes great pity on him and makes a deal with the Moor: if Abindarraez is set loose and returns to Alora after three days, Narvaez will know his worth as a knight and will set him free. Abindarraez is so relieved to be confronted with this offer that he falls at the Spaniard's feet out of gratitude. Abindarraez returns to Alora after three days, this time with his bride, Jarifa. Narvaez is so impressed with the Moor's honor as a knight that he not only sets him free but also welcomes the two as guests into his castle, showering them with comfort, servants and good food.

Loyalty

Loyalty is a prevalent theme in The Abencerraje, most notably being displayed through Abinderraez the Younger after he is captured by the noble Rodrigo de Narvaez. Abindarraez proves he is a man of his word after Narvaez tells him that if he returns to Alora after three days to turn himself back in, Narvaez will set him free as a reward for proving his honor as a Moorish knight. Abinderraez does just that, returning not only after three days, but also be accompanied by his lover Jarifa, after Jarifa refuses to let him return to Alora alone.

Adaptations

Theatre

The National Classic Theatre company presented a stage version of The Abencerraje at the Theatre Pavón in Madrid in 2014. It was directed by Borja Rodríguez and adapted for the stage under the name La Hermosa Jarifa (The beautiful Jarifa). The Beautiful Jarifa premiered during the 37th edition of the Almagro International Classical Theatre Festival. The play ran until 2016.

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References

Fonsalba Vela, Eugenia (2005). "Notes on the possibility of Jerónimo Jiménez de Urrea being the author of The Abencerraje". Crítica Hispánica. XXXVII (2): 7–31.
a gold coin that was worth 425 maravedis, which is half the value of a doubloon and a quarter of a double doubloon