De la "Diana" de Montemayor a la novela pastoril francesael canon europeo

Abstract

Although Italian models determined the formation and development of the pastoral genre in drama, the pastoral novel - at least in France - was from the very beginning influenced by the example of Los Siete Libros de la Diana by Jorge de Montemayor. Certainly, this text was the main source for many French novels, at first slavish imitations and later original creations, among which L'Astrée, by Honoré d'Urfé, stands out. The Diana was the source of the neoplatonic love matter, but also of well-tried narrative techniques such as framed stories, overhearing characters, letters, songs, trials, debates, paintings, etc. These techniques set up the foundations of d'Urfé's work ami, through his invaluable legacy, of a considerable part of the 17th and even 18th century European novel.