Oral-Formulaic Theory: Annotated Bibliography

J.M. Aguirre. "Epica oral y épica castellana: Tradición creadora y tradición repetitiva." Romanische Forschungen, 80:13-43.

A consideration of Castilian epic tradition, especially the Cid, in light of the Parry-Lord oral theory. Following a review of the theory, he demonstrates the existence of traditional elements in the Cid and argues that viewing the poem as oral traditional resolves the major textual difficulties, such as metrical irregularity, the questions of dating and authorship, and related problems. Suggests that there were two distinct stages in the evolution of the Castilian epic: (1) the oral and creative tradition of the troubadour and (2) a later stage that was popular, conservative, and unartistic. Selective bibliography appended.
Area: HI