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

Theater of the Baroque: Styles and Venues

Religious Theater: Autos Sacramentales

Religious theater is manifested through the Autos Sacramentales (mystery plays), short pieces in one act, which presented abstract figures in religious allegory. These plays primarily treated the theme of the Eucharist, or Holy Communion, and featured a conflict between good and evil, usually personified by the Devil. The conflict was resolved with the triumph of the former.

The plays were represented around the feast of Corpus Christi, outdoors in front of the church. The stages, often built on decorated carts (carros), featured elaborate decoration and special effects. This type of theater was closely related to the Counter-Reformation, as it was the most suitable... Continue reading "Spanish Baroque Drama: Venues, Spectacle, and Lope de Vega's New Comedy" »

Mythological Origins of the Trojan War

The Trojan War, from a mythological viewpoint, began with the abduction of Helen, wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta. Her abductor, Paris, son of the King of Troy, was madly in love with Helen. She had been promised to the Trojan prince by Aphrodite, after he proclaimed her the most beautiful of the immortal goddesses.

Menelaus, the outraged husband, summoned his allies and attacked Troy. Other Greek leaders and Achaeans, who had been suitors of Helen, had pledged an oath to defend Menelaus's honor if it were ever offended.

Historical Context of the Trojan War

From a historical viewpoint, the conflict's primary source was commercial and economic. Greece (specifically Argolis) was located in a region characterized... Continue reading "Unraveling the Trojan War: Causes, Heroes, and Mythology" »

Dramatic Subgenres and Discourse Types

Tragicomedy

Mixing elements of tragedy and comedy. Its characters belong to the nobility and common people, and the action does not result in catastrophe. Its style is varied.

Other Dramatic Subgenres

• Auto Sacramental: A short piece related to the sacrament of the Eucharist. Linked to liturgical feasts, it develops scriptures and lives of saints.
• Loa: A pamphlet, generally humorous, featuring popular characters. It represented the beginning or middle of a long piece, whose argument was not always connected with it. The most famous examples are those of Miguel de Cervantes.
• Farce: Short comic pieces found on the fringes of festivities and religious representations.
• Sainete: Known by this name since the eighteenth

Romanticism in Spain: Key Characteristics and Literary Stages

Romanticism was a profound social and artistic movement spanning the first half of the 19th century. Its central purpose was asserting the right to liberty, understood both individually and collectively. In Europe, its development, particularly later in Spain during the reign of Ferdinand VII, allowed artists to express their ideology freely, disregarding classical rules.

Passion replaced reason, and artistic works became subjective. Romantic works are characterized by a mixture of genres, the combination of verse and prose, and the use of different metrical structures within a single poem.

Core Themes of Spanish Romanticism

• Feelings and Emotions: The primary theme is the intense expression

Antonio Machado: Biography

Born in Seville in 1875, Antonio Machado moved to Madrid. He attended the Institución Libre de Enseñanza starting in 1889. He first traveled to Paris, where he met Symbolist poets. In 1907, he published his first book, Soledades, Galerías y Otros Poemas. He moved to Soria, where he met Leonor Izquierdo; they married two years later. In 1912, he published his second major work, Campos de Castilla. That same year, his wife died, and he fell into a depression. Afterward, he went to Jaén, where he lived with his mother. His final poetic work was titled Nuevas Canciones. He died in France in 1939.

First Poetic Stage

Symbolist Poetry and Art Nouveau

Key Aspects:

• Work: Soledades, Galerías y Otros Poemas
• Themes and Purpose:

Modernism

Modernism, a poetic movement, was introduced by Rubén Darío, heavily influenced by the French Symbolists, including Verlaine and Mallarmé.

Rubén Darío came to Spain as an American delegate during the Colombian centenary celebrations. By this time, he had achieved success with his poetry collection, Azul. After living in Paris, where he was influenced by symbolist writers, he adapted their styles to Castilian. He wrote Prosas Profanas. Upon his return to Spain in 1899, he was already considered a master by young Spanish writers, who were captivated by the magical sound of his verse.

Rubén Darío sparked a genuine renewal in Spanish literature, incorporating symbolic forms, contrasting with the realistic art of the Restoration writers,... Continue reading "Spanish Modernism: Literary Movements and Influences" »

The Spanish Renaissance: Literature and Key Figures

The Renaissance period profoundly shaped Spanish literature, introducing new forms, themes, and sensibilities, particularly influenced by Italian models.

Key Authors of the Spanish Renaissance

Garcilaso de la Vega (1501–1536)

Garcilaso was the quintessential Renaissance gentleman: noble, gallant, courtly, and military. His poetic works address essential themes of the Renaissance.

• Sonnets: He wrote 40 sonnets, drawing composition from Italian literature. They are almost entirely focused on the theme of love, often inspired by court poetry and songbooks.
• Eclogues: He composed 3 eclogues, characterized by their bucolic (pastoral) nature.

Fray Luis de León (1527–1591)

Born in Belmonte (Cuenca), Fray... Continue reading "Spanish Renaissance Masters: Poetry, Mysticism, and the Picaresque" »

Spanish Golden Age Novels

The Idealistic Novel: The most abundant during the Renaissance, it tells the story of heroes in unrecognizable landscapes and among idealized people.

The Byzantine Novel: Also known as a novel of adventures. It recounts adventures that take place during a typical journey, often involving travel by boat to discover small islands and exotic landscapes. This novel represents a journey where a young protagonist must deal with multiple disabilities and handicaps. Key themes include pirates, storms, islands, and abduction.

The Pastoral Novel: Constitutes a journey where characters travel in search of happiness. Two types of actions are distinguished: one internal and slow, and another made up of stories of past shepherds. The... Continue reading "Spanish Golden Age Novels: Types and Key Examples" »

18th Century Spanish Prose: The Essay

During the first half of the 18th century, the influence of French Neoclassical ideas and the reaction against the Baroque style fostered a literature aimed at renewing Spanish culture and society. The essay was the most appropriate form, especially for Father Feijoo and Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos.

Benito Jerónimo Feijoo: A Visionary Thinker

• His work had a clear didactic purpose and a social dimension: it aimed to teach people what he considered the truth and to attack misconceptions and superstition.
• Example: Teatro Crítico Universal.
• His style was clear and precise. He was one of the founders of modern scientific language.

Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos: Reformer and Writer

• Besides being a writer, Jovellanos

Garcilaso de la Vega: A Renaissance Poet

Early Life and Influences

Garcilaso de la Vega, born in Toledo in 1501, was the quintessential Renaissance man, skilled in both arms and letters. He married Doña Elena de Zúñiga. However, his encounter with Isabel Freyre ignited a passionate and inspiring love that would deeply influence his poetry. This love was unrequited, as Isabel married another man and tragically died young in childbirth. Garcilaso's travels to Italy exposed him to the new poetic styles of the time, further shaping his work.

Poetic Evolution

Garcilaso's poetic journey can be divided into three stages:

• Traditional Cancionero Poetry: Initially, Garcilaso cultivated a traditional style of poetry known as "cancionero".
• Petrarchan Influences: