Representation of the tales of the popular culture in the Golden Age period in Sebastián de Covarrubias’ «Tesoro de la lengua castellana»

Abstract

The object of this research is to present a sample of the popular tales of the traditional Spanish culture of the Golden Age, compiled in the Tesoro de la lengua castellana o española by Sebastián de Covarrubias, whose book was published in Spain in 1611. The classification was made taking into account the different themes of the tales and their contents: tales about lies, animals, women, laws, dialogued tales and tales of mockery. Such tales were used by the author to give greater clarity to his dictionary, and to provide real examples of the uses of the words he was explaining. The popular tales of the Golden Age are not only part of the popular memory; they were also known by scholars, who praised them and included them in their literary works. The tale, as a justification of the proverbial speech of the man of this time, is flexible. By this we mean to say that it adapts itself to the context in which it is going to be applied.