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

The Comedia Nueva: Innovations

The plays of the Comedia Nueva did not respect the three unities of place, time, and action characteristic of classical Renaissance theater. Instead, the work is structured in three acts or 'days': exposition of the case, complication of the facts, and resolution (desenlace).

• The same work can mix the comic and the tragic.
• All works are written entirely in verse.
• Polymetry is resorted to, using various meters and stanzas that are appropriate to different dramatic situations (e.g., quatrains for love scenes, tenths for complaints, and romances for stories).
• The language is adjusted to the social status of each character, which is known as poetic decorum.
• The plays may include dances and popular songs.

Themes and Arguments

The... Continue reading "Characteristics of Spanish Baroque Theater and the Comedia Nueva" »

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

19th-Century Spanish Literary Movements: Context

First Half of the Century: Romantic Prose

The first half of the 19th century was defined by the rise of Romantic prose.

• Historical Context

  Absolute monarchical crisis, replaced by a democratic parliamentary government. Rise of Nationalism.

• Social Development

  The bourgeoisie was proclaimed as the dominant social class. This was a time of liberalism.

• Cultural Trends

  Idealism prevails.

Second Half of the Century: Realism and Naturalism

The latter half of the century saw the shift toward Realism and Naturalism.

• Historical Context

  The bourgeoisie established itself firmly as the dominant (conservative) social class. Significant industrial and commercial development.

• Social Development

  Emergence of a new class:

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" »

Character Analysis in *The Holy Innocents*

The gallery of characters that appears in the novel denotes the author's strong concern for human beings. The Holy Innocents is fundamentally a novel of character, both quantitatively and qualitatively; the largest proportion of the text is reserved for the portrayal of human figures.

Classification of Characters by Presence

We can establish three distinct groups based on their prominence and function:

1. Characters in the Spotlight (Primary)

   These are the central figures driving the narrative. They include Azarías (the real protagonist), Paco el Bajo, and Master Iván (representing negative traits).

2. Background Characters (Essential Support)

   Their presence is minor but essential to expand the story's context.

Linguistic Registers

Linguistic registers vary based on context and formality:

• Informal/Colloquial: General theme, daily use, oral channel, subjective intentionality, low formality. Often involves discussion and avoidance of known roots, colloquialisms. Generally denotative of language.
• Formal Standard: Generally oral or written, objective, medium to high formality. Avoids colloquialisms. Denotative language.
  • Written: Newspapers, signs, notices, informative texts.
  • Oral: News media, etc.
• Scientific/Technical: Specialized, written or oral, objective, high enunciative level. Uses symbols, jargon (monosemantic terms), and roots (Greek or Latin elements) or Anglicisms. Denotative language only.
  • Written: Journal articles, technical reports, theses.
  • Oral:

The Literary Avant-Garde: Movements and Impact

The term Vanguardias Literarias (Literary Vanguards) was coined during World War I to describe a range of artistic concerns. The Avant-Garde consisted of a huge number of movements, all sharing the desire to create a radically new art, breaking completely with Realism.

European Avant-Garde Movements

• Futurism

  Started in Italy (1909) by F.T. Marinetti. Characterized by:

  • A dynamic, fast style, often employing verbal breaks and syntactic disruption.
  • Hatred of the intellect, favoring intuition.
  • A complete break with the past.

  Influence: Heavily influenced the Spanish Generation of '27 (e.g., Pedro Salinas, Rafael Alberti).

• Cubism (Fine Arts Influence)

  Appeared around 1907 with painters Pablo Picasso and Georges

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