The role of women in the Poema de Alfonso Onceno: the case of Leonor de Guzmán

Abstract

In this paper we will study the role of women in the Poema de Alfonso Onceno. We will begin by briefly reviewing the role that women played in other poems with epic heroes and explaining the theoretical concepts that will frame our statements. In a broad sense, we will examine the role of the noble women who enter the scene during the development of the action. Strictly speaking, we will focus on Leonor de Guzmán in order to exhibit and explain the particularities observed in the treatment of her case. The notion of queenship and the idea of mediation placed in relation to epic and fin’amors stereotypes will allow us to demonstrate how the adaptation of the character of Leonor to the topoi differentiates her from the rest of the female characters in the poem, contributing to the exaltation of the king.