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

Literature Since the Civil War

During the Civil War, an ideological propaganda literature dominated, in which literary quality was not the priority. Since the Civil War, literary evolution has been linked to a series of political and social transformations.

Key stages:

• Postwar Literature (1940s): Two orientations emerged: 1) Exaltation of the dominant ideas, and 2) Anxious reflection.
• Social Literature (1950s): Acceptance by international institutions and Spain's favored position fostered a certain ideological opening.
• Formal Renewal (1960s): Economic development brought about a change in customs and allowed the entry of foreign literary influences.
• Latest Trends (Since 1975): Authors began to speak freely, and different orientations emerged.

Miguel

Post-Spanish Civil War Novel

1. Novelists of Exile

The Spanish Civil War led to the exile of numerous writers, shaping a literary landscape marked by displacement. Three common aspects emerge in their works:

• The memory of war and Spain.
• Experiences of new places and adapting to life abroad.
• Reflections on human nature and existence.

Among the most renowned exiled writers:

• Ramón José Sender: Known for his realistic and social approach, his works often explored the themes of Spain and the Civil War, notably in Crónica del alba (Chronicle of Dawn).
• Rosa Chacel: Her writing is characterized by meticulous aesthetic care, exemplified in Distrito de maravilla (District of Wonder).
• Max Aub: Focused on the human condition, his stories maintain a traditional

Life is a Dream

This is one of the fundamental works of Calderón de la Barca. It raises the conflict between free will and predestination of human beings.

Basilio, King of Poland, locks his son Sigismund in a tower to prevent an omen: Sigismund's rebellion against his father. But, troubled by this situation, he decides to test his son. He brings him to the palace and makes him believe, upon waking, that he is a king. Sigismund, who has not received the education befitting his status as prince and has never been free, behaves cruelly. This attitude confirms the King's predictions about his child, and therefore, he decides to lock him back in the tower. On waking, Sigismund cannot distinguish whether what he has experienced was a dream or reality.... Continue reading "Calderón de la Barca & Lope de Vega: Spanish Golden Age Drama" »

The Theater of the 17th Century

The 17th century is the great period of Spanish drama due to the importance of the authors, the quality of their work, and their social impact. This is thanks to the impetus given by Lope de Vega with the principles of his New Comedy.

Lope de Vega's Theatrical Innovations

In his theatrical production, Lope de Vega introduced innovations that he later detailed in his New Art of Making Comedies:

• He did not respect the three unities of time, place, and action.
• The work is structured in three acts and workshops.
• While the classical precept separated comedy and tragedy, they can now be mixed in the same work (tragicomedy).
• All the works are written in verse. He resorted to polymetry, using different stanzas and meters.
• He

Gabriel García Márquez's Masterpiece

This text offers commentary on Chronicle of a Death Foretold, written by Gabriel García Márquez. It is one of the most popular of all his works. Gabriel García Márquez won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982 and is one of the leading representatives of the so-called "boom" in Latin American Literature. Chronicle of a Death Foretold was published in 1981 and has many of the features that characterize this movement, such as magical realism.

Narrative Structure

In analyzing the structure, one must determine if the narrator is acting as a narrator-witness (first person) or is merely a chronicler collecting the testimonies of others (direct, indirect, free indirect).

Narrative Attitude and Style

The attitude... Continue reading "Chronicle of a Death Foretold: Narrative and Style" »

The Genesis of Latin Literature

The birth of Latin literature is usually placed at 240 BC. During the Roman games that year, the judges ordered Livio Andronico (the first author of Latin literature, who translated the Odyssey into Latin Saturnian verse) to translate or adapt a Greek comedy and tragedy to present them to the public as part of the games. Thus, the works of Roman literature and drama were initially translations or adaptations of Greek plays.

Early Latin Literary Works

The first known literary works include those of Nevio, who wrote Punic War in Saturnian verse. This work is closely related to the period of nationalist fervor in Rome during that century.

Development of Latin Epic Poetry

The discovery of Greek literature and mythology... Continue reading "Origins of Latin Literature: Key Authors and Works" »

Poetry as a Literary Genre

Lyric Poetry: An Introduction

Lyric poetry is any poetic composition in which the author expresses their feelings subjectively. Written in both verse and poetic prose, it aims to create a connotative, evocative, and polysemous world. The result is a well-developed piece, full of artifice and expressive density.

The Language of Lyric Poetry

Three lyrical attitudes exist between reality (matter) and the poet:

• Lyrical Emotion: The poet's external reality inspires the composition.
• Lyrical Apostrophe: The poet addresses a "you" that is the constant reference of the poem, engaging in lyrical dialogue.
• Language of the Song: The author, attentive only to their ego, presents their vision of reality or their inner world. This is the

Rome's Enduring Legacy: Education and Art

The study of Latin and Greek, along with classical writings, formed the core of education from the Renaissance to the early twentieth century. Unlike Greek, Latin maintained a continuous presence through religious and legal contexts in the Middle Ages. Renaissance humanism and the emergence of Romance languages, derived from Latin, further emphasized the importance of Latin studies. Early Renaissance humanism aimed to emulate ancient Roman culture, focusing on developing an elegant Latin style, exemplified by Lorenzo Valla's Elegantiae linguae Latinae. Latin was considered the quintessential language until the seventeenth century.

Classical studies, involving the reading of great works, provided role... Continue reading "Roman Legacy: Education, Art, and Architectural Influence" »

Miguel Hernandez: Social and Political Commitment

Miguel Hernandez was socially and politically committed in his life, his poetry, and his plays, but we will focus primarily on his poetry.

Hernandez's Theater of War

Regarding his dramatic work, although he wrote other works, Theater of War, written in prose, lacks dramatic entity and could be considered propaganda speeches and an invitation to fight.

Poetry Collections with Military Themes

In the poetry of Miguel Hernandez, his poetry collections include military themes: Wind of the People, Man Stalks, and, in some ways, Songbook and Ballads of Absences.

Commitment Beyond Verse

Miguel Hernandez's commitment goes beyond his verse; it is part of his life. His poems are a reflection of his life convictions.... Continue reading "Social and Political Themes in the Poetry of Miguel Hernandez" »

Result Clauses

S + V + So + adj/adv + (that)

Example: She speaks so quickly that I can't understand her.

S + V + Such + (a) + (adj) + noun... that

• Singular or countable noun: It was such a (obligatory if the noun is singular) lovely (optional adjective) day (noun) that I couldn't get on a bus.
• Plural or uncountable noun: It was such dirty (optional adjective) water (noun) that we didn't dare to drink it.

S + V + Too (too much) + adj/adv + (for) + to + infinitive

Example: The tea is too hot for her to drink.

S + V + adj/adv + enough + (for) + to + infinitive (Normally used in negative sentences)

Example: You aren't tall enough (for her) to drink.

Consequence Connectors

• Therefore: For that reason
• Consequently: As a consequence
• As a result: Due to something
• Thus: