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

Features and Reflection of Esperpento in Bohemian Lights

The birth of absurdity occurs in 1920 with the publication of Bohemian Lights, which is the culmination of Valle-Inclán's art, encompassing themes, characters, settings, and style. The author defines his aesthetic through three texts derived from Bohemian Lights and an interview. The essence of this art lies in the point of view; the basis of the 'esperpentizador' process is distance, the strangeness of vision that is scornful, merciless, and inhuman. Absurdity does not try to reproduce the real world but rather presents a grotesque distortion of reality that cannot be reflected rationally. In Valle-Inclán's case, the goal is to present a distorted reality to characterize the distortion,... Continue reading "Esperpento in Bohemian Lights: Features and Reflection" »

Goya's Notable Works: Darkness and Social Commentary

The Third of May 1808

The Third of May 1808 (1814), oil on canvas, is in the Prado Museum. It is a history painting. The composition is organized based on illumination, with a clear dramatic function. It symbolically separates the illuminated area, where convicts wait to be shot, and the penumbra area, where soldiers are aligned. In the illuminated area, one of the condemned seems to absorb all the light, with strong expressive and symbolic meaning. The military platoon forms a closed diagonal.

Goya put all the elements in the service of expression. He reduced the color gamut, enhancing the drama, and intensified the climax, glimpsing through the language of the hands. Made in 1814, it was painted... Continue reading "Goya's Masterpieces: Darkness and Social Commentary" »

1. Historical Context

This exempt group sculpture, known as the Sarcophagus of the Spouses, was carved in 520 BC (sixth century BC). The artist is anonymous and belongs to the Etruscan style. The Etruscan civilization developed in mainland Italy, specifically the region of Tuscany, between the 10th and 1st centuries BC. It had an oriental origin and brought together the cultural and artistic traditions of the civilizations of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Etruscan art was deeply marked by religious beliefs, seeking to obey the will of their gods in order not to fall into disgrace. As in Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations, the Etruscan people gave great importance to life after death. For this reason, it was usual to perpetuate... Continue reading "Etruscan Art: The Sarcophagus of the Spouses" »

Realism in Spanish Literature: The Narrative Genre

The narrative genre, a cornerstone of literary realism, was the most cultivated form for meticulously describing the reality examined by writers of the era. It is characterized by its profound credibility, presenting stories with authentic facts, characters, and settings that feel significant and genuine.

Key Characteristics of Realist Narrative

• Authentic Characters: Portrays real, everyday individuals, with in-depth analysis of their personalities and behaviors to understand their actions.
• Social Commentary: Addresses rampant collective character (e.g., the feminine), social issues, and conflicts within society, framed by specific time and space.
• Narrative Techniques: Frequently employs in medias

The Impressionism Art Movement

Context of Impressionism

• Mid-19th Century: A transition from Realism to Impressionism.
• It was a time of significant change:
  • Economically: The Industrial Revolution and Imperialism (notably in London).
  • Politically: France (Paris) became a central hub.
• France emerged as the epicenter of this new artistic movement.
• The bourgeoisie remained a significant social and economic force, influencing art patronage and consumption.

Introduction to Impressionism

• The movement began around 1863. The Industrial Revolution brought new technologies, including photography, which challenged traditional painting and prompted artists to explore new approaches.
• Painters produced works that were often not commissioned by traditional patrons, fostering

Understanding Communication and Language Fundamentals

• Communication: The process by which an issuer transmits a message to a receiver.
• Sign: A symbol that suggests the idea of something else.
• Language: The faculty that allows humans to communicate with one another through the use of oral signs.
• Concrete Language: A specific language shared by a community of speakers.
• Signifier: A set of sounds or written form that expresses a concept.
• Meaning: The associated idea or concept that a signifier represents.

Elements of Word Structure

• Root: The basic meaning of a word.
• Desinence: An ending added to the end of a word to build a different form of that word.
• Affix: A morpheme connected to the root to form a different word.
  • Suffix: Placed after the root.
  • Prefix:

Structural Arrangement of Madame Bovary

This piece is divided into ___ lines. The first corresponds to ___, the second to ____, and the last corresponds to the end ___.

Book Structure: Three Parts

The book is divided into three parts:

The First Part

This part consists of nine chapters. It begins with Charles's early life, including his childhood and studies, and how he married his first wife. Also in this first part, Emma, the daughter of one of Charles's patients, meets him. Charles falls in love with Emma, and after his first wife dies, he marries her. The first part concludes with their marriage and move to Tostes.

The Second Part

This part consists of 15 chapters and begins when they move, detailing Emma's frustration with her marriage. She yearns... Continue reading "Literary Analysis: Madame Bovary & Hamlet Structure" »

Pedro Calderón de la Barca: Dramatic Genius

The dramatic production of Pedro Calderón de la Barca includes more than a hundred works. To this number must be added his autos sacramentales (morality plays) and mythological or religious dramas.

Key Themes and Works in Calderón's Drama

Calderón's extensive repertoire can be categorized by theme:

• Spanish History and Legend: The Mayor of Zalamea (El alcalde de Zalamea).
• Swashbuckling Plots (Comedies of Intrigue): House with Two Doors Is Difficult to Guard (Casa con dos puertas, mala es de guardar); The Phantom Lady (La dama duende).
• Philosophical Dramas: Where the idea matters more than the action: Life Is a Dream (La vida es sueño).
• Honor and Jealousy: A Secret Grievance, Secret Revenge (A secreto

Characters

Don Quixote and Sancho Panza represent the societal structure of their time, encompassing nobles, ministers, actors, clergy, peasants, and students. Don Quixote and Sancho are the central figures. Don Quixote's character is a parody of a chivalrous hero, but his ideas, values, and attire clash with the society of his time. His madness is central to the work and creates a conflict between reality and chivalry. Sancho, his squire, is an ignorant yet cunning man, representing the common people. The dialogue between Quixote and Sancho is a key element of the work. Over time, each character's personality influences the other, with Sancho becoming more like Quixote and Quixote becoming more like Sancho.

Narrative Techniques and Style

The... Continue reading "Don Quixote: A Deep Dive into Cervantes' Masterpiece" »

Legal Language Characteristics

Legal language is a specialized language used predominantly in legal contexts. It is characterized by intertextuality, a conservative function, and a form that seeks clarity, precision, and targeted communication within the legal-administrative sphere. Legal texts are not uniform; they vary across legislation, written administrative documents, notarial acts, and doctrinal texts.

Morphosyntactic Level

Noun Phrase

• Abundance of abstract nouns.
• Substantive accumulation of enumerations.
• Generalizing-value items.
• Specified adjectives.

Verb Phrase

• Utilization of the 3rd person.
• Present tense.
• Future indicative and periphrasis of obligation.
• Future subjunctive.
• Present participles (Latin-influenced).
• Gerunds (often overused).

Syntax

• Long