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

The Language of Heraldry Explained

The heraldic language encompasses all the symbolism and its composition to achieve full visual expressions of content and meaning. The base element of this language is the shield. It is built from symbols and colors within the shield, assembled according to specific purposes, principles, and rules.

These rules and the composition of symbols and colors form a visual grammar. When properly applied, this grammar defines the language of heraldry, organizing a language syntax where heraldic terms structure a visual language to define everything incorporated into armories.

What is an Armory?

An armory is the combination of the shield together with its exterior decorations. The shield is the basic concept around which... Continue reading "Understanding Heraldry: Symbols, Armory, and Shield Shapes" »

Open Nature: Rural Life and Environmental Themes

In his work, Delibes vehemently defends rural life, free from pollution and environmental aggressions. The natural world is depicted as a kind of "Arcadia" threatened by progress. This positive progress is often offset by what Delibes called a "kickback" or regression. The action primarily takes place within this natural world. It has been said that the novel's landscape coincides with the fields of Extremadura, where the peasant is resigned and happy, living in perfect harmony with the earth. For the family of Azarías and the rest of the peasants, the countryside is their very livelihood. Nature itself is treated like the humble characters in the novel.

Azarías leads a life quite similar to... Continue reading "Delibes's Los Santos Inocentes: Themes & Analysis" »

Islamic Art: An Overview

ISLAM: Islamic art flourished within diverse contexts, from settled communities to nomadic cultures. Islam originated in Arabia in 622 AD when Muhammad fled to Medina from Mecca. The religion's central text is the Koran.

Within a century, Islam and its culture spread through military conquests, reaching from India to Spain, establishing a relatively homogeneous culture. Key contributions include advancements in business, science, philosophy, agriculture, and urban development.

Urban Planning and Architecture

Urban life, characterized by narrow streets, centered around key areas: corners (groupings of buildings, shops, workshops, and markets), bathhouses, residences, palaces, madrassas (Koranic schools), and mosques (prayer... Continue reading "Islamic and Roman Art: History, Characteristics, and Influence" »

Theatre of Epidaurus

General Information

Title:

Theatre of Epidaurus

Architect:

Polykleitos the Younger

Period:

4th Century BC

Material:

Stone

Location:

Epidaurus, Peloponnese, Greece

Formal Analysis

Description:

Nestled against a hillside, the Theatre of Epidaurus features distinct sections: the orchestra, the cavea (seating area), and the skene (stage building).

• Orchestra: A circular, sandy area at the base, used by the chorus and featuring a central altar dedicated to Dionysus.
• Cavea: The semi-circular seating area, accommodating up to 15,000 spectators, divided into two sections by a corridor (diazoma).
• Skene: A building tangent to the orchestra, serving as a backdrop, with a raised platform (proscenium) in front for theatrical action.

The theatre's lateral... Continue reading "Epidaurus Theater: Ancient Greek Architecture and Acoustics" »

Hreinn Fridfinnsson's Art of Duality

The works of Hreinn Fridfinnsson are often structured around dualities such as left/right, past/present, vacuum/packed, and light/darkness. Hence the use of mirrors, which reflect not only the viewer but also the reflected.

In this exhibition, we can find several unique pieces. For example, in one corner of the gallery are placed dried tree leaves arranged from floor to ceiling. Or some strategically placed convex mirrors that reflect much of the exhibition.

Hreinn Fridfinnsson has shaped a delicate and unique style, unpretentious in materials, yet powerful in effect.

Susan Collis: Art of Deception

In this exhibition, nothing is as it seems. Susan Collis plays hide and seek with her art, inviting viewers to share... Continue reading "Diverse Contemporary Artworks and Exhibitions" »

Understanding Subordinate Clauses

Adjectival Subordinate Clauses

Adjectival subordinate clauses are equivalent to an adjective and function within the noun phrase category. They are typically introduced by a relative pronoun.

The most common relative pronouns are: who, whom, whose, which, that. Other words like where and when can also introduce adjectival clauses when referring to a place or time modified by the clause.

Types of Adjectival Subordinate Clauses:

• Restrictive: These clauses specify or express a quality of the noun they modify and are essential to define its extent or meaning. They are not set off by commas.
• Non-restrictive: These clauses provide additional, non-essential information about the noun. They show a quality of the noun without

Ramón del Valle-Inclán's Grotesque: A Deep Dive

Characteristics of Absurdity in Valle-Inclán's Work

Key characteristics of absurdity in Valle-Inclán's work include:

• The Grotesque as a Means of Expression: Deformation of reality through caricature.
• Double Code: Beneath the apparent tone of mockery lies a meaning-laden, satirical social intent.
• Use of Violent Contrasts: Death as a fundamental character, "muñequización" (treating characters like puppets), and other contrasting elements.

All of Valle-Inclán's "esperpentos" share common features in terms of themes, structure, and resources. An important element is the historical context; Valle was particularly interested in the Carlist Wars, the Elizabethan period, the wars in Cuba and Morocco,... Continue reading "Ramón del Valle-Inclán's Grotesque: A Deep Dive into Spanish Literature" »

Linguistic and Literary Concepts

Basic Definitions

Phrase

A word or group of words that makes complete sense, is pronounced with a particular intonation, and, in writing, is separated from others by punctuation marks such as a period, exclamation point, or question mark.

Phrase (Syntactic)

A group of words without a verb.

Sentence

A group of words containing a verb, often conjugated personally.

Common Grammatical Issues

Leísmo

Using 'le' or 'les' as a direct object pronoun when 'lo' or 'los' (or 'la'/'las') would be standard.

Laísmo

Using 'la' or 'las' as an indirect object pronoun when 'le' or 'les' would be standard.

Loísmo

Using 'lo' or 'los' as an indirect object pronoun when 'le' or 'les' would be standard.

Literary Movements

Realism

A movement born... Continue reading "Spanish Realism and Naturalism: Galdós and Clarín" »

What is Literary Realism and When Did It Emerge?

Literary realism emerged as a way of representing reality, aiming to get closer to its individual social and cultural aspects. Realists analyze and deepen human reality through direct observation of everyday life. It arose in the second half of the nineteenth century.

What Was the Most Cultivated Genre in Realism?

The novel was the most cultivated genre because it was considered the most appropriate means of expression to depict reality. The origin of the realistic novel can be found in the genre of the novel of manners and the sixteenth-century Spanish romance tradition.

Features of the Realistic Novel

• Interest in humans and the social and cultural environment in which they live.
• Observation and description

Realism in 19th Century Spain

Bourgeois Society and Daily Life

The Realism art movement focused on portraying bourgeois society, leaving behind romantic ideals for social commentary. It depicted everyday life in both rural and urban settings, analyzing environments, social groups, and their influence on character development.

The Realist Novel

The Realist novel combined individual and social aspirations. It blended fiction with historical aspects, portraying contemporary life in real places with detailed descriptions. Characters were ordinary individuals, described externally, internally, and socially, engaging in direct-style dialogues. An omniscient narrator provided commentary and insights.

Realism in Spain

From 1870, Spanish Realism flourished... Continue reading "19th Century Spanish Realism and Naturalism in Literature" »