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

The Tradition of Knightly Stories

The stories about knights date back to the songs of geste, narrated by minstrels at a time when the nobility held a great historical role. These narratives were transformed during the fifteenth century as society changed profoundly.

Chivalric Romances vs. Chivalric Novels

Medieval literature developed two distinct forms of knightly fiction:

Chivalric Romances (Books of Chivalry)

• Recreate a past and remote time: The action is located in distant and exotic landscapes.
• Fantastic elements: There are dragons, giants, and other creatures in a mysterious and fantastic setting.
• Characters: The characters are often quite superhuman.

Chivalric Novels

• Reflection of the environment: They are a reflection of the environment in which

Traditional Lyric

Traditional lyrics were sung and danced to. They were anonymous and their main theme was parallelism. They were simple.

• Alba: Songs at dawn, about the beloved woman.
• Songs of Mowing: Songs sung by workers during their workday.
• Serranillas: Lyrical and narrative compositions in verse, singing of the meeting with a loving *serrana* (mountain woman).
• Villancicos: Songs with rhyme that began to be sung in churches and were associated with Christmas.

Cult Lyric

Elaborate poetry, they were borne by minstrels.

• Jarcha: Written in Mozarabic. Loving theme, from a female perspective.
• Cantigas: Written in the prestigious Galician language.

Alfonso X: Cantigas to the Virgin Mary

420 compositions that tell of the Virgin Mary's miracles. They are divided... Continue reading "Medieval Spanish Literature: Lyric, Narrative, Prose" »

Spanish Theater Before 1939

In the late nineteenth century, works known as "high comedy" by Echegaray and his followers were represented. Public taste, which was only slightly refined, and the disaffection of theater owners prevented any serious attempt at renovating the theater scene. Nevertheless, the following forms survived in the first third of the century:

1. The bourgeois comedy.
2. The farce of the Madrid or Andalusian environment, which evolved into other forms such as the grotesque tragedy or the Astracán.
3. The modernist spirit, which cultivated a poetic and symbolic theater.

Attempts at Renewal and the Generation of '98

The most serious attempts at renewal came from Unamuno, Valle Inclán, and Azorín, but few of their works were successfully... Continue reading "Spanish Theater History: Trends and Authors Before 1939" »

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.