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

Garcilaso de la Vega

The Eclogues

The Eclogues are the most significant compositions of Garcilaso de la Vega. They are pastoral compositions, meaning that the lovers are shepherds who discuss their love in the ideal setting of the "locus amoenus."

Initially, the shepherds in the Eclogues talk of their love. Salicio's lover rejects him, and Nemoroso loses his beloved. Both suffer from love. Salicio and Nemoroso are literary transcripts, or alter egos, of Garcilaso de la Vega himself.

"Alter Ego"

An "alter ego" occurs when the poet experiences the character, usually of a personal nature.

Similarly, Galatea and Elisa are transcripts, or alter egos, of Isabel Freire.

• Galatea rejects Garcilaso, mirroring Isabel Freire's rejection.
• Elisa dies, reflecting

Impressionism

Impressionism was a term used by the satirical weekly Le Charivari by Louis Leroy to comment on a Monet landscape that showed the birth of the sun, and this is critical. Actually, Monet, Renoir, and Degas tried to catch nature at its tables, as they worked. The method they saw was to defend painting outdoors and not be stuck in a workshop to see the changes that the same object suffers in the light of dawn, noon, and sunset. They went to the woods on the banks of the Seine, streets, and cafes of Paris to capture images. The model would be the landscape with the glare of the sun reflected on water, leaves, or skin. They were interested in changes and progress, such as ships and steam train stations with smoke enveloped by locomotives.... Continue reading "Mastering Impressionism and Cubism: Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Picasso" »

Understanding Avant-Garde Movements

The term avant-garde refers to a set of innovative artistic and literary movements that developed in Europe and America during the first third of the 20th century. The common denominator of the avant-garde is a break not only with prior art and literature but with the entire Western aesthetic tradition.

The avant-garde emerged in a climate of widespread dissatisfaction with the present, which worsened after the atrocities of the First World War.

Common Characteristics

Avant-garde movements share several characteristics:

• Anti-realism: Stemming from their disagreement with reality, avant-garde authors broke with the idea of art and literature as an imitation of the exterior world.
• Primitivism: Challenging the West'

Valle-Inclán

Throughout his career, Valle-Inclán demonstrated a continuous willingness for formal thematic renewal and an intention to break with the theater of his time. His work evolved into his unique creation: the esperpento.

Early Dramatic Works: Drama in Decay

In these works, Valle-Inclán applied modernism to drama, achieving a poetic theater. He incorporated characters with realistic language and attitudes. The first works focused on the theme of adultery, free of ethical constraints.

The Marquis of Bradomín

This book highlights the use of ridiculed techniques and multiple locations of action.

The Wilderness of Souls

Valle-Inclán paid great attention to the protagonist's mood. Hypersensitivity is exalted, feelings triumph, and there is... Continue reading "Valle-Inclán and Lorca: Spanish Theater Evolution" »

Romanticism

Romanticism was a reaction against Neoclassicism's emphasis on reason and rhetorical style. It prioritized emotional expression and explored themes of individualism, nature, and the sublime.

Principal Authors of Romanticism

• Lord Byron: Expressed rebellion and weariness.
• Goethe: Known for his novel The Sorrows of Young Werther.
• José de Espronceda: Composed long poems and songs.
• Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer: Author of Rhymes and Legends.
• Mariano José de Larra: Depicted Spanish situations.
• José Zorrilla: Wrote Don Juan Tenorio.

Romantic Poetry

Romantic poetry often employed rhetorical language and explored two main forms:

• Lyrical: Expressed personal sentiments and the poet's perspective, exemplified by José de Espronceda and Bécquer.
• Narrative:

The Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence

The dome has a very elegant design achieved from the smart curvature of the white marble ribs. The ascents to the ribs come together to give way to a stylized lantern designed by Brunelleschi. The red-tiled dome is covered on a drum of marble stone, coated with a circular window on each side, resembling an eye.

The success was so great that it became a distinctive element of Renaissance churches. The projecting dome of St. Paul was inspired by this, as his older sister wanted to create something equally beautiful. For five centuries, both Europe and America have produced solutions inspired by Brunelleschi.

Palazzo Rucellai by Leon Battista Alberti

The facade's articulation is achieved by starting an innovative... Continue reading "Exploring the Architectural Marvels of Florence" »

Humanism

Humanism is a mindset that originated in Italy during the fifteenth century.

Characteristics

• The focus shifts to humankind, emphasizing human potential and achievements.
• Inspiration from Greco-Latin culture, leading to a rebirth (Renaissance) and the use of mythology.
• Interest in science and technology.
• Use of vernacular languages (Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, etc.).

The Printing Press

In the fifteenth century, Gutenberg's invention of the printing press revolutionized the dissemination of ideas. It facilitated the spread of humanist thought, making books more accessible and transforming typography.

Religious Reform: Lutheranism

Widespread discontent with the corrupt practices of the Church led to calls for reform. Erasmus of Rotterdam... Continue reading "Renaissance Humanism: Origins, Impacts, and Key Figures" »

Match of the Stories

*Ana Pelegrin*

There are 1000 ways to classify stories. Here are some:

1. Tales of Tradition

These have been passed down orally from generation to generation. At some point, different authors throughout history gave them written form. This is how many stories have come to us.

2. Current Stories

These are stories that authors write to target children. Nobody can change their content.

Classes of Traditional Tales

• Formula Tales: Their structure is a formula. This means that in these cases, there is no minimum division of the story.
  • Turn-on Tales: Right at the beginning is the ending. Their formula is to open and close the story; the rest is free to the imagination.
  • Never-Ending Tales: Their structure is also a formula that allows

Spanish Word Distinctions (Tilde Diacrítica)

Understanding accent marks (tildes) is crucial for distinguishing words in Spanish:

• él (pron. personal: he) vs. el (artículo: the)
• tú (pron. personal: you) vs. tu (adjetivo posesivo: your)
• mí (pron. personal: me) vs. mi (adjetivo posesivo: my)
• te (pron. personal: you) vs. té (sustantivo: tea)
• más (adv./sustantivo: more) vs. mas (conjunción adversativa: but)
• sí (adv. afirmación/pron.: yes, oneself) vs. si (conjunción/nota musical: if, B)
• sé (verbo saber/ser: I know / be) vs. se (pron.: oneself, himself, etc.)
• o (conjunción: or) - Note: The accent on 'ó' between numbers is no longer used by the RAE.
• dé (verbo dar: give) vs. de (preposición: of, from)
• Interrogative/Exclamative vs. Relative/Conjunction:

Are the dominant genres of comedy and drama escape political or ideological, two trends that are maintained in the subsequent stage. The theater comedy: humor intellectualized; Jardiel Poncela is a novelist and playwright. His theater is based on a nonsensical humor, ironic, unsentimental, futuristic, avant-garde roots. Conceives of drama as the realm of absurd situations implausible chains with atypical characters and humorous dialogues very intellectualized that foreshadow a critical view of reality. Heloise is under an almond / Miguel Mihura wrote plays and screenplays. His humor is based on the dislocation of language. Exhibits a different vision of society free from prejudice characters and marginal, faced with a world corny and conventional,... Continue reading "Spanish Theater: Comedy, Drama, and Social Commentary" »