Although “Juan Ruiz” is generally understood to be the author of the
Libro de buen amor, readers should note that his identity remains obscure. Despite significant critical effort to prove the existence of a Juan Ruiz around the time the text was (likely) written, hypotheses put forward have proved unsatisfactory. Furthermore, there is some significant slippage between Juan Ruiz, the possible historic figure and author of the text, and the fictional Archpriest of the work. The “Joan Royz, | Açipreste de Fita” of verse 19, who sings praise to the Virgin, becomes an increasingly problematic protagonist and guide as the work progresses. The critic Louise O. Vasvári has suggested that the name “Juan Ruiz” may be a pun as part of the extensive word-play of the text and this would…
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Citation: Curtis, Florence. "Juan Ruiz". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 13 August 2012 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5537, accessed 19 April 2024.]
