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

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 Convention of Vergara: A Pivotal Agreement

The legal agreement and transactions between General Rafael Maroto and General Baldomero Espartero, culminating in the Convention of Vergara, marked a significant turning point in Spain's First Carlist War, leading to a liberal outcome.

Key Figures in the Agreement

• General Baldomero Espartero: A prominent Liberal commander, Espartero had achieved significant victories, such as at the Battle of Luchana in 1836. He later became regent following the resignation of Maria Cristina. His regency, however, became increasingly dictatorial, leading to events like the bombing of Barcelona. He was eventually deposed and went into exile, largely influenced by British pressure.
• Lieutenant General Rafael Maroto:

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" »

Baroque Literature in 17th Century Spain

LITERATURE T-4: The Baroque: A cultural movement that developed in Spain in the 17th century. The awareness generated by the crisis, pessimism, and disappointment gave rise to existential angst.

It produced one of the most splendid historical moments in literature and the arts. Baroque aesthetic concepts are transformed into momentum builders and great contrasts. Baroque literature aims to surprise and impress, and the ideal of the authors is the keenness of wit.

Baroque Lyric Poetry and Literary Movements

Baroque Lyric Poets (17th Century), Culteranismo, and Conceptismo

• Conceptismo: Aims for a dense and complicated content that surprises the reader with wordplay, achieving condensation and meaning.
• Culteranismo:

Garcilaso de la Vega: Renaissance Poetic Essence

Garcilaso de la Vega's work, published posthumously in 1543, is concise yet encapsulates the essence of later Renaissance poetry. His compositions are often imbued with themes of love, featuring lyrical songs and elegies that show a direct influence from classical antiquity. However, it is his Eclogues that represent the pinnacle of his poetic achievement.

The Eclogues: Pastoral Dialogues

An eclogue is a poetic composition where characters, typically shepherds, engage in dialogue, often about love. Garcilaso's Eclogues include:

• Eclogue I: Two shepherds express their disdain and regret over the loss of their loved ones.
• Eclogue II: The only one of the three with significant dramatic action.
• Eclogue

General Features of American Spanish

The Spanish spoken across the Americas, as a whole, exhibits the following common features:

Phonetic Characteristics

• Intonation Variation: Distinct intonation patterns (tone curves) in each region, often attributed to the influence of indigenous substrates.
• Seseo: The pronunciation of the interdental voiceless fricative phoneme /θ/ (as in Peninsular Spanish 'z' or 'c' before 'e', 'i') as a sibilant /s/.
• Aspiration of /s/: Aspiration or loss of syllable-final or word-final /s/ (e.g., 'los' pronounced as 'loh'), a feature also found in some Peninsular Spanish dialects like Extremaduran.
• Rhotic/Lateral Confusion: Confusion or neutralization between the phonemes /r/ and /l/ in syllable-final or word-final positions.