The legend of the Lovers of Teruel is one of the best-known in Spain. It reflects essential values of the medieval period, such as loyalty, honor, family obedience, and sacrifice for love. This story shows how true love was conditioned by the social and economic norms of the time. Analyzing this legend allows us not only to learn about Spanish folklore but also to understand how the meaning of love has evolved within Spanish culture.
Pre-Legend Activities
Starting Point: Ask students questions.
- What is love to you?
- What would you do for love?
- Is anything worth it for love?
Cultural Eye
- Projecting the image of the Tomb of the Lovers of Teruel
- We analyze the tomb according to the Prown method (description, deduction, and speculation), following the outline provided at the beginning of the unit. This will be done individually, then in pairs, and finally shared with the entire group.
Geographical location of the legend: Teruel
- Location on the map
- Comparison (Teruel, 15th and 21st centuries)
- Number of inhabitants
- Architecture of the houses
- Based on the economy, the city's inhabitants
- Comparison of photographs
"Journey through the magic words"
Vocabulary related to the legend:
Impossible love, promise, loyalty, fidelity, disappointment, tragedy, passion, renunciation, pain, death for love, nobility, arranged marriage, dowry, honor, lineage, social class, medieval society, inequality, tradition, custom, tomb, church, burial, confession, forgiveness, oath, blessing, sacrifice, destiny, eternity, grave, family home, letter (as a symbol of communication), tower.
Legend Activities
"Explorers of Legends: Reading to Discover"
The legend is given to students in the form of a story for them to read individually. Students will then underline the most important details that will lead them to the main idea of the text. Students will then create a summary and draw an individual picture of the legend.
"Objects that Speak: Keys to Understanding a Culture" (Prown Method)
To understand why Isabel de Segura and Diego de Marcilla acted as they did in the legend, it is important to analyze objects that reflect the customs, values, and social norms of the time. These elements help us better understand the historical and cultural context in which they lived.
The Lovers’ Tombs
- The position of the hands, not touching, symbolizes respect, restraint, and enduring suffering for love.
Letters or Messages
- Represent long-distance love and hope
- Reflect values such as waiting, commitment, and fidelity
Wedding Clothes / Bridal Attire
- Connected to the promise of marriage
- Highlight the contrast between true love and arranged marriages.
Rings or Personal Objects
- Symbolize love promises or fidelity
- Represent the spiritual connection between lovers
Symbolic Spaces
- Church or cemetery: places filled with religious and social symbolism, often marking the outcome of the story
- Family home or tower: symbols of confinement, obedience, and the restrictions imposed by society
Later Artistic Representations
- Sculptures, paintings, and theatrical reenactments that emphasize the romantic ideal of pure, impossible, and sacrificial love.
Post-legend activities
"Between legends and traditions: guaranteed fun!"
- Present a situation related to love and look for possible solutions in the 15th century and today. Analyze the differences.
- Represent the legend using puppets.
- A quiz will be conducted using Kahoot. We can create a variable that allows students to design their questionnaires, enabling them to review content with their classmates and promoting participation and active learning.
- Create an online presentation highlighting the key elements of the legend and explaining how it can help us gain a deeper understanding of Spanish culture.
