Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Arts and Humanities

Popular Poetry: Traditional Narrative - The Old Ballads

The romances are short, lyrical, epic compositions arising from the fragmentation of the ancient epics. These romances, whose first manifestations date back to the late fourteenth century, were transmitted orally during the fifteenth century. Throughout the sixteenth century and the first half of the seventeenth century, authors collected and cultured the Songbooks and included them in Romanceros.

In response to the issues addressed, they can be classified into:

• Historic-nationals: They come from the old Castilian epics and exalt their heroes.
• Romantic and lyrical: Created by popular imagination.
• Border and Moors: They tell military episodes that take place on the border between Moorish and

Conjunctions and Conjunctive Phrases:

• Cause: because, since, as.
• Consecutive: therefore, so, thus.
• Conditional: if, on condition that, provided that, in case, only if, while.
• Final: so that, in order that.
• Concessive: although, though, even though, despite, unless.

Theatrical Structure

Theater acts are complete fragments or parts. These are divided into scenes. A character's entrance or exit marks the beginning or end of a scene. Scenes intercross to form a cohesive whole.

Theatrical Text

The theatrical text has two levels:

Text-Negotiated

• Dialogues: Conversations between characters that advance the action.
• Monologues: A character's speech to themselves, revealing intentions and feelings.
• Soliloquy: A monologue with questions the character answers themselves.

Knot Story

Levels of Identification

1st Level: Character psychology.

2nd Level: Situation sociology. Example: A man faces impending death, known to all but him, amidst an ideal week.

Script Argument and Conflict

The unifying script argument is the core conflict driving the narrative. This conflict arises from the interplay between intentions and internal/external resistance, reflecting everyday life struggles.

Chronological Development

An overview of the full script treatment involves four stages:

1. Exposition
2. Conflict Joint
3. Conflict Termination
4. Outcome

Script Development Process

Idea

Ideas can emerge from various sources, from a story germ to a documentary concept. Explore all development possibilities and record them for later review.

Synopsis

A concise promotional... Continue reading "Narrative and Script Development" »

Workplace Hygiene & Sanitation

Article 12: Basic hygiene and grooming needs.

Article 13-14: Systems and potable water supply.

Water Supply & Facilities

Toilets, Sinks, and Showers

Articles 21 to 26: Every workplace must have toilets and sinks appropriate to the number of workers, and showers if the work situation requires. For temporary tasks, toilets may be replaced with sanitary latrines or chemical toilets. An employer is responsible for maintaining the proper operation and cleaning of these facilities. Wastewater must be discharged into the public sewer system or treated through a private system or plant.

Cloakrooms & Dining Facilities

Paragraph V. Cloakroom and dining mentioned in Article 27:

Dressing Room Requirements

Article 27 states... Continue reading "Workplace Safety, Hygiene, and Fire Prevention Standards" »

Baroque Theater: Types of Dramas

In Baroque theater, two main types of dramas were represented: serious and comical.

Long Works

Long works can be classified as follows:

Serious Dramas

• Tragedies: Present pitiful disasters, emotionally involving the audience.
• Tragicomedy: Explore a variety of topics, usually related to honor.
• Autos Sacramentales: Religious works celebrating the Eucharist.

Comic Dramas

• Comedy Swashbuckling: Deal with love affairs carried out by gentlemen.
• Comedy of Figurehead: Inserts a comic character into the scheme of swashbuckling comedy.
• Comedy Palate: Sitcoms with noble protagonists.
• Comedy Burlesque: Comedy based on the reversal of values and verbal humor.

Short Works

The Baroque style saw a dramatic proliferation of short dramatic pieces,... Continue reading "Baroque Theater: Types of Dramas and Representation Elements" »

Juan Ramón Jiménez: A Poetic Evolution

Juan Ramón Jiménez's poetic career underwent a profound evolution, marked by distinct stages and influences.

Early Works: Melancholy and Modernism

The first stage of Jiménez's work is characterized by a pervasive sense of melancholy. Aestheticism and decadence are prominent in his early works, with recurring themes such as nostalgia and the presence of death.

Symbolism is evident in works like Sad Arias and Distant Gardens, the latter expressing an underlying erotic conflict. His return to Moguer brought with it the influence of Modernism. In Green Leaves, he incorporates new Orientalist elements and experiments with metric forms. Elegy, Poems of Magical and Dolorous Sound, and Loneliness refine Modernist... Continue reading "Juan Ramón Jiménez: Poetic Evolution and Key Works" »

Rodin's The Thinker: An Iconic Sculpture

The Thinker is a renowned work by Auguste Rodin, one of the most influential sculptors of his time. In 1875, he traveled to Italy, where he was captivated by the movement and musculature in Renaissance sculptures (e.g., by Donatello and Michelangelo). This iconic piece, created between 1880 and 1900, is a bronze sculpture. It measures 71.5 cm x 40 cm and exhibits an Impressionistic style. Its theme is symbolic, and the sculpture is housed at the Musée Rodin in Paris.

Rodin's Artistic Development

Upon his return from Italy, Rodin gained recognition through the Parisian salons and several sculptures that showcased his distinctive style, characterized by strong forms and textured modeling.

Anatomy and Composition

Eugenio d'Ors: A visit to the Museo del Prado, guided by the insights of Eugenio d'Ors, transcends a simple museum tour. It becomes a master class in aesthetics, shaping how we perceive and articulate art.

The D'Ors Thesis: Reason and Order

The visit's objective is far from neutral. D'Ors's thesis emphasizes reason and order as the ideal framework for art. He views art as an illustration of the ongoing dialectic between the "classic" and the "baroque".

An Iconographic Approach

This edition adopts an iconographic approach to the core of d'Ors's aesthetic analysis. Graphic details within the text are highlighted, and the museum's extensive collection is used to showcase diverse perspectives, even those not explicitly mentioned by d'Ors. This approach... Continue reading "Eugenio d'Ors: A Master Class at the Museo del Prado" »

Velázquez's Toilet of Venus

The Toilet of Venus (1650), Oil on canvas. National Gallery, London.

Description of the Scene

This painting represents the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility reclining languidly in her bed, her back toward the female spectator. The spectator can identify with Venus due to the presence of her son, Cupid. He appears without his usual bow and arrows. Cupid is holding a pink ribbon of silk that is draped over the mirror and curls on its frame.

The Mirror and Reflection

The most original part of the composition is the mirror Cupid holds, in which the goddess looks outward to the viewer of the painting through her reflection in the mirror.

Symbolism of the Mirror

The fact that Venus is looking at the viewer through... Continue reading "Velázquez's Toilet of Venus Painting Analysis" »

The Birth of Venus by Botticelli

Decoding the Symbolism of a Renaissance Masterpiece

The Birth of Venus, painted by Sandro Botticelli around 1482-1485, is one of the most iconic works of the Italian Renaissance. This painting, depicting the goddess Venus arriving at the shore after her birth, is rich in symbolism and classical references.

Figures and Their Meanings

On the left side of the painting, we see two figures intertwined:

• Zephyrus: The god of the west wind.
• Chloris: A nymph, and wife of Zephyrus. The Romans often referred to her as Flora. She has also been identified with Aura, the goddess of the breeze.

Their embrace symbolizes the union of spirit and matter. Roses, said to have sprung forth alongside Venus, fall around them.

At the center... Continue reading "Botticelli's Birth of Venus: Symbolism and Meaning" »