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

Social Poetry: A Stage of Transformation

2nd Stage (Social Poetry): Gabriel Celaya's "Songs of Iberia" marks the first book of this stage. The author delves into his troubles and metaphysical concerns, finding solidarity with the suffering rather than religion. In his own words, the task is "to demonstrate the tragedy of living brotherhood and then as soon as possible through it." Blas de Otero, influenced by Marxist ideology, conceives poetry as a tool for social change. He addresses the "vast majority," contrasting with Juan Ramón Jiménez's slogan. Like Jiménez, he seeks simplicity of language, though sometimes only apparent, with a desire for accessibility to help transform the world.

The work begins with a quote from Don Quixote, "will

Spanish Baroque Literary Masters

Luis de Góngora: Poetic Innovation

Luis de Góngora, born in Córdoba in 1561, lived at court in Madrid. A priest, he dedicated himself exclusively to poetry, dying in Córdoba in 1626. He wrote letrillas (humorous popular poems, often octosyllabic). Among his various works were romances and fables, such as Pyramus and Thisbe (1618), a long composition of more than 15 verses. Key poetic characteristics of Góngora include:

• A tendency towards popular burlesque vision of reality, alongside serious reflection.
• Grave and serious mythological themes.

His Soledades (silvas) were written with a simple song theme, focusing on natural life, disdain for courtly ambitions, and rural pastoral scenes. Polyphemus and Galatea... Continue reading "Spanish Baroque Literature: Key Authors and Aesthetics" »

Novecento and the Spanish Vanguard

Novecento: This literary trend aims to restore the aesthetic value of the poem. It is typical of Spain around 1910 and came into focus before the Civil War. In poetry, figures like Juan Ramón Jiménez looked away from Modernism.

Vanguardism: This represents Modernism in Europe following the initial avant-garde period.

Key European Vanguard Movements

• Futurism: Advocates a complete break with previous culture, exalting modernity, mechanics, and technique (Marinetti).
• Cubism: Vindicates the autonomy of the artwork; the writer seeks to capture the simultaneity of reality. Notable calligrams break with the linearity of language (Apollinaire).
• Dada: Tries to demonstrate the absurdity of life (Tzara).
• Surrealism: Defends

Secció A: Volcans, Meteorologia i Hidrologia

1.1 Composició Volcànica

1. CO₂, vapor d’aigua, H₂S, ... (del volcà o en fumaroles)
2. Les colades de lava estan formades d’una fracció líquida important.
3. Cendres, bombes, lapil·li (gredes, pedra pòmez...), etc.

2.2 Condicions Meteorològiques i Pressió

Com que els vents vénen del Nord (nord – nord-est, si es vol ser més precís), les temperatures seran fresques o fredes, depenent de l’època de l’any. La pressió atmosfèrica a Catalunya, segons el mapa, és de 1000-1004 hPa (mb).

3.2 Càlcul del Cabal del Riu

Segons el tall de la gràfica, la casa es veu afectada quan l’aigua del riu arriba als 4 metres. Tenint en compte que la llera és de forma triangular, la secció que té el riu... Continue reading "Anàlisi Geològica, Meteorològica i Hidrològica a Catalunya" »

1. The Theatre After the Civil War

After the Civil War, the picture of the theatre in Spain was not encouraging. The most innovative figures, Valle-Inclán and García Lorca, were dead. Others had been exiled. Arniches, Benavente, and Marquina continued to write for a few years. Thus, in the war years, the dominant theatre was one for an audience that understood the scene as an escape. This theatre was well built, within a bourgeois dramatic conception. However, its works were little innovative and offered little social or historical criticism. The topics were not committed: infidelity in marriage, the rebelliousness of children, etc. This kind of bourgeois theatre was dominant until 1949, when Buero Vallejo premiered Historia de una escalera.... Continue reading "Spanish Theatre Post-Civil War Developments" »

The Cinquecento: Artistic Breakthroughs

Cinquecento: The artistic breakthroughs of the Quattrocento, which were dominated by harmony and balance, coincided with the first third of the century, giving way to a Mannerist language that affected Europe and served as the transition time to the Baroque. The arts capital moved from Florence to Papal Rome. The nobles and priests, such as Julius II, Leo X, and Paul III, became great patrons.

Architecture: General Features

Architecture was inspired by classical models seeking harmony and proportion. Importance was given to the effect of the whole and monumentality. The central plan was frequently used. Highlights include Bramante, whose work reflects the ornamental abundance of the Quattrocento, yet his... Continue reading "Masterpieces of Cinquecento Italian Architecture" »

Pedro Salinas

Pedro Salinas initiated a renovation of poetic language in his efforts to find the essence of things and life experiences. In this sense, he is the highest representative of what is known as "pure poetry." The three basic elements of his creation are: authenticity, beauty, and ingenuity. Salinas was a perfectionist, yet endowed with great sensitivity. He is considered the leading poet of love of his generation.

His work is typically divided into three stages:

• First Stage (Until 1932)

  Pure poetry under the influence of Juan Ramón Jiménez. Key work: Presagios.

• Second Stage (Until 1939)

  Poetry of love. His concept of love was anti-romantic, neither tormented nor suffered. Instead, love is presented as an enrichment of life and the individual.

The Renaissance and Baroque Periods

Peter Seraph (1505-1567)

Peter Seraph (1505/1510-1567) was influenced by Ausiàs March during the Renaissance. His Catalan works include two books and 170 poems.

John Smith (Died c. 1603)

John Smith (died c. 1603) fully embraced the traditionally conservative attitude of Ausiàs March. His work is a counter-accord with a movement that sought to restore the Church's moral authority, characteristic of the Baroque period.

Francesc Vicent Garcia (1579-1623)

Francesc Vicent Garcia (1579/1582-1623) is considered the greatest representative of his time, known as the Rector of Vallfogona. His work, influenced by Castilian literature, is humorous and eschatological (referring to excrement). He generated "vallfogonisme,"... Continue reading "Catalan Literary Evolution: Renaissance to Modernism" »

Miguel Hernández's poetry consistently explores three major themes: life, love, and death. His Cancionero y romancero de ausencias (Songbook and Ballads of Absences) encapsulates these profound subjects.

Nature in Hernández's Poetry

Hernández was a nature poet from childhood. His early work depicted nature as a living environment, covering landscapes and everyday elements of his modest existence. His poems, often described as modernist in their features, delve into the mystery of creation, attempting to reach the soul of things. He considered himself part of nature, exalting and dignifying even the most insignificant elements, making any element the subject of his verse.

"Perito en lunas": A Góngora-Inspired Work

At this stage, his most significant... Continue reading "Miguel Hernández's Poetic Legacy: Themes of Life, Love, Death" »

Galician Generation of the 1950s

A) Features

They did not directly experience the Civil War. They were university students and participated in the Minervas writing contest hosted by the USC, which awarded narrative and poetic works in Galician. They felt a strong interest in contemporary European culture and developed a critical awareness of the Spanish reality of the time. Most of them, during their stay in Madrid, founded the group Brais Pinto and created a literary collection of the same name.

B) Poetic Evolution

The Generation of the 1950s staged the largest thematic and formal renovation in Galician poetry, although each member followed a distinct poetic path. We can establish two periods that mark very different trends.

• 1950s: Poetry marked