Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of Latin

The first signs of the Catalan Literary Renaissance were poetic compositions. These initially appeared in the Principality before 1830. Poems in Catalan only sporadically appeared in Spanish-language periodicals. The most emblematic example is Bonaventura Carles Aribau's work, published in the journal El Vapor in 1833. We must also highlight the compositions of Joaquim Rubio i Ors (Lo Gaiter del Llobregat), along with those of Marià Aguiló i Aguiló (from the Balearic Islands), Tomàs Villarroya, and Vicent Boix (from Valencia). The brothers, Vicent and Teodor Llorente, were instrumental in organizing the Floral Games at the University of Valencia in 1859. With the momentum of Constantí Llombart, the Floral Games of Lo Rat Penat began.... Continue reading "Catalan Literary Renaissance: A Flourishing of Poetry and Prose" »

Typical of this novel is the bitter reflection of everyday life from an existential approach. The major themes are loneliness, inadequacy, frustration, and death. There are many marginal and displaced characters.

Delibes spoke of sadness and frustration in his first novel, Shadow of the Cypress is Long. Narrators of exile developed their work, varying from traditional realism to modernism. In their works, they mainly addressed issues of social content and recovery of Spanish reality.

The novel of the 50s continued the tradition of realism of the forties, and their characteristics are maintained until the early sixties. Although political, religious, and sexual censorship remained in force, the authors of the 50s raised an ethical commitment to... Continue reading "Existentialism and Social Commentary in Spanish Novels" »

Chronicle of James I (1208-1276)

The Chronicle of James I is an autobiographical account, presented in chronological order, of the events spanning from James I's birth to the territorial conquests of Majorca, Ibiza, Valencia, and Murcia. It details his challenges with the nobility and political pacts with Castile. The language is vivid and expressive, employing the majestic "we".

Bernat Desclot Chronicle (Late 13th Century)

This chronicle, traditionally attributed to Bernat Desclot, though likely written by an officer of the court, focuses on the reign of Peter II (1276-1285). It highlights significant episodes from the King's campaign in Sicily. The narrator uses the third person, providing an external perspective that lends an air of objectivity.... Continue reading "Catalan Medieval Literature and Historical Chronicles" »

Latin American Narrative in the Second Half of the 20th Century

Latin American narrative in the second half of the 20th century is not rooted in the tradition of the classical Spanish novel, realistic, or prior to the Civil War. Instead, it shows a great sensitivity to the transformation called the *metamorphosis of the novel*, which occurred at the hands of great European and American authors of the early 20th century, such as Joyce, Kafka, Proust, Musil, and Faulkner.

Experimental Novel and Magical Realism

Therefore, it can be described as an *experimental novel*, equivalent to what the Anglo world calls "modern", as it shows a particular sensitivity to the revolution of the aforementioned viewpoint. But it also expresses a world of very different... Continue reading "Latin American Narrative: Transformation and Magical Realism" »

14th-Century Spanish Literature

The Book of Good Love and the Archpriest of Hita

Juan Ruiz, the Archpriest of Hita, wrote the brilliant and original Book of Good Love in the 14th century. While its structure could be categorized within the mester de clerecía (clerical verse tradition), its themes stray from the didacticism typical of that style.

We know very little about the author beyond his name. However, his work reveals a vital, humorous individual with sincere piety. This suggests a strong autobiographical element, allowing the reader to connect with an author deeply familiar with both popular and learned literature.

Book of Good Love

Theme:

Written in verse with a predominantly narrative style, the Book of Good Love shares characteristics... Continue reading "14th-Century Spanish Literature: The Book of Good Love & Don Juan Manuel" »

Cesar's Clever Tactic

Caesar believed he had found a clever tactic. He had arrived hoping to finish the campaign without struggle and without injury. Having intercepted the enemies of the wheat supply from their homes, he questioned why he should lose some of his own men even in friendly matches. Why suffer being hurt?

Encouraging His People to Find Fresh Water

After delivering this speech among his people, Caesar agitated the minds of all. He gave an assignment to the centurions to interrupt their current works and devote their efforts to digging wells, not disturbing any part of the night time. Having undertaken this task and brought all the animals for work, one night a freshwater stream was found.

The Cavalry of the Germans and Numerical Superiority

The... Continue reading "Key Moments in Roman Military Campaigns and History" »

Medieval Spanish Literature Foundations

The Jarchas: Early Romance Lyric Poetry

The jarchas are short songs from the 11th and 12th centuries written in Mozarabic. They represent the earliest manifestation of Romance lyric poetry in Spain. They consist of a few verses placed at the end of Arabic and Hebrew poems called moaxajas. In these verses, a woman, often addressing an informant (like her mother or sister), expresses her feelings about love.

Galician-Portuguese Lyric Poetry

Galician-Portuguese lyric poetry was influenced by the learned and courtly poetry cultivated in Provence (France) and developed during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Types of Cantigas

• Cantigas de amigo: Love poems with an intimate tone. Similar to the jarchas, a young woman

Roman Theater

It is a literary genre of ancient Roman literature. It emerges from the adaptation of Roman schemes observed in Greek dramatic theaters. The Greek colonies in Italy, attracted by its beauty, copied schemes of tragedy and comedy.

Dramatic Manifestations:

• The Atellans: Improvised representations with humorous and burlesque themes. The characters were fixed, and characteristics were determined.
• Fescennine Verses: Representations of dialogue full of irony during games. The actors wore masks.
• Mime: Actors and actresses representing eroticism with comic situations.
• Pantomime: Dramatic pieces based on dance and mime, represented by a single actor embodying the various characters in the play.

Roman Comedy

Based on Greek New Comedy, it adapts... Continue reading "Roman Theater: Comedy, Tragedy, and Key Playwrights" »

Song of the Mio Cid

Model Values:

• Loyalty to the King: El Cid is faithful and loyal to the king. El Cid undertakes a war policy that leads him to conquer Valencia.
• Consideration and Honor: Rodrigo gets the royal pardon and his daughters marry into royal lineages, wedding the princes of Navarre and Aragon.
• Personal Effort and Faith in God: Based on personal effort, Rodrigo's virtue stems from Christian faith, loyalty to his king, justice towards his subjects, love for his family, and courage under fire.
• Measure: In all his actions, the Cid is wise and shows affection appropriately.

Authorship and Composition Date

The Song of the Cid is preserved in a manuscript that ends with a note stating that Per Abbat wrote it in May of the year XLV.

Structure of

Tradition and Vanguard

Miguel Hernández was not a man of learning; his life was a struggle against difficulties and shortcomings. In November 1931, hopeful, he traveled to Madrid with his teenage poems, which he brought back in 1932, disappointed by his failure to implement completely renovated literary ideas. His poetry writing became much more complex, with a *culterano* accent. This poetry is the fruit of his reading of the Baroque, Góngora, and the *gongorists* of the Generation of '27.

In 1934, he returned to Madrid to try again, and this time he accessed the literary world, thanks to influences from Sijé. It was a fertile time, open to everything and everyone; his assimilative capacity was absolute. His circle of friends expanded.

Miguel... Continue reading "Miguel Hernández: Life, Poetry, and Commitment" »