Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Latin

Late Emergence of Castilian Prose

Prose creations appeared very late in Castilian literature. Early writings were brief annotations in the margins and romances interspersed within Latin texts. At that time, Latin was not understood by all and was translated. It was the language of the church, monasteries, schools, and universities, which for centuries were ecclesiastical centers radiating culture. This Latin culture, of religious inspiration, held itself apart from the Romance languages, contemptuously referring to them as 'romances'.

13th-Century Prose and Scientific Learning

The powerful influence of Arabic and Hebrew cultures, which had assimilated and retained much Greco-Latin knowledge, was significant. Royal support for cultural activities... Continue reading "Evolution of Castilian Prose: From Annotations to Literary Works" »

Realism and Naturalism in 19th-Century Literature

Realism

Realism, emerging in the mid-19th century, emphasized portraying everyday reality and social issues. Rooted in empiricism and positivism, this movement sought to objectively depict the world through observation and experimentation, often exploring social inequalities as highlighted by Marxism.

Naturalism, a related movement, delved into the darker aspects of society, applying a scientific lens to analyze social problems.

Characteristics of Realist Novels

• Focus on everyday reality and contemporary environments.
• Exploration of specific social and political conflicts of the time.
• Objective and critical portrayal of society.
• Presence of the author's opinions.
• Use of an omniscient narrator, revealing

Generation of '27:

The poets of the Generation of '27, who contributed to publications like La Gaceta Literaria and Revista de Occidente, employed elaborate language in their pursuit of "pure" intellectual poetry, devoid of sentimentality. They emphasized beauty, poetic play, metaphors, and other literary devices, making abundant use of imagery and visionary elements.

Key Figures:

• Luis Cernuda: Eclogue, Elegy and Ode, The Forbidden Pleasures, Where Oblivion Dwells, Desolation of the Imagination, Reality and Desire, Profile of the Air (first book of poetry).
• Pedro Salinas: Secure Chance, The Voice You Love, Due and Reasonable, All Things Clear, The Defender (essay).
• Jorge Guillén: Cántico (as a whole: chant, cry, and tribute).
• Vicente Aleixandre:

Spanish Drama Before 1939

Spanish drama up to 1939 saw very strong trading conditions with a local predominance of private, public taste that came to their rooms (the bourgeoisie). There were few possibilities to reach the capacity for self-criticism of the Spanish theater audience. The first third of the century is divided into two fronts: the triumphant-follower stage, which triumphed in the late nineteenth century.

Key Movements and Playwrights

A] Bourgeois Comedy with Benavente

B] Verse Drama, with Contributions of Modernism

C] Comic Theater, with a Predominant Traditional Style

Jacinto Benavente (1866-1954)

Jacinto Benavente is the most representative figure of the possibilities and limitations of the bold moment. He had a beginning with "The... Continue reading "Spanish Drama Before 1939: Key Playwrights and Movements" »

Celestite: A Literary Work of Profound Depth and Complexity

Authorship

In the first edition, no title or signature appears. A new edition was later published, titled Comedy of Calisto and Melibea. Subsequent editions bore the title Tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea.

Problems of the Genre

The work is written exclusively in dialogue, without narration or descriptions. Some consider it a dramatic piece destined for reading due to its extension and the complexity of the spatiotemporal aspects of the characters' psychology. Others consider it a narrative, like a novel in dialogue. Some think it is an "anti-novel" that tried to create a kind of sentimental work, similar to how Cervantes criticized books of chivalry. The delimitation of its genre is... Continue reading "Celestite: Unveiling Literary Depth and Renaissance Themes" »

The first half of the twentieth century was a very rich period from a literary point of view. The authors of the Generation of '98 used the genre as a key vehicle of expression, while the authors belonging to the Novecentismo or Generation of '14 intended to seek new narrative forms.

The Novel in the Generation of '98

The novel is the most important genre for many cultured members of this group. The subjects they preferred were Spain, the causes of decay, history, people... further reflection on man and his destiny. These authors did not focus on the history of great characters; an essential element in the novels of the Generation of '98 is the description of the landscape as reflecting a particular mood.

In terms of style, these authors were... Continue reading "Spanish Literary Movements: A Historical Overview" »

**Martí i Pol (1929-2003)**

*Sixties Poetry*

Martí i Pol's poetry is deeply rooted in his experiences. These include a textile conference in his hometown, his working-class status (he worked in a factory), his vocation as a poet, and his experience with multiple sclerosis. His first collections, *El Poble* (*The People*) and *La Fàbrica* (*The Factory*), are considered realistic and historical. In 1970, as his disease progressed, he began a process of introspection that led him to reflect on death, loneliness, and the importance of life. This period produced works like *Vint-i-set poemes en tres temps* (*Twenty-Seven Poems in Three Times*) and *L'arrel i l'escorça* (*The Root and the Bark*). He also wrote *Estimada Marta* (*Beloved Marta*... Continue reading "Catalan Literature: Authors and Works from Post-War to Present" »

L'Atlàntida: Verdaguer's Early Epic

L'Atlàntida aconsegueix els honors dels Jocs Florals, permetent a Jacint Verdaguer dedicar-se exclusivament a ser escriptor. A partir d'aleshores, Verdaguer comença a viatjar i a escriure sobre les seves impressions en prosa. Amb els anys, també s'aprecia la seva paraula poètica religiosa.

En definitiva, L'Atlàntida és un gran poema èpic culte que incorpora la literatura catalana amb una gran construcció narrativa, incloent molts elements de llenguatge popular (com termes de geologia i natura). Amb la seva poesia, Verdaguer volia aconseguir:

• Convèncer la societat.
• Mostrar les seves conclusions religioses.

Canigó: Masterpiece of Catalan Literature

Canigó és un poema èpic que supera L'Atlàntida. Comprèn... Continue reading "Jacint Verdaguer's Epic Poems: L'Atlàntida and Canigó" »

La Celestina (1499)

The play was first published anonymously, attributed to an anonymous author, and focused on the characters of Melibea and Callisto. It consisted of 16 acts. Later, it was attributed to Fernando de Rojas. In 1502, it was printed with a new title, Tragicomedy of Calisto and Melibea, and with 5 new acts. The work is known mainly as La Celestina. La Celestina is a very long work in dialogue. Some consider it a novel, others a play, while others think it is a dialogued novel.

Style: Cultured and popular language.

Characters: Divided into two groups: the upper class, such as Calisto and Melibea, and the popular class, such as Celestina, prostitutes, and servants.

Topics: Love, death, greed, selfishness, avarice, class struggle.

The

The Life and Death in the Poetry of Miguel Hernández

Many have noted the relationship between biography and lyrical creation. The life of Miguel Hernández is a prime example: passions, jail, and death of a poet.

The work of Miguel Hernández is like a life: start-ups, youthful drive, and personal affirmation that leads to accepting life as punishment.

Early Poems: Vitality and Optimism

From the first poems to "The Lightning That Never Stops," there's a conscious disregard, carefree vitalism, and natural optimism. His life goes one way, and his work another.

Nature and Death

Many poems pay homage to nature: plants, rocks, bugs, etc., from the orchards of Orihuela. Miguel picks up things as if they were alive; death does not diminish the beauty of... Continue reading "Miguel Hernández: Life, Death, and Poetry's Tragic Beauty" »