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

16th-Century Spanish Literature: Key Trends

Two main narrative trends emerged in 16th-century Castilian literature: idealistic and realistic novels. Idealistic narratives, such as sentimental novels and books of chivalry, initially triumphed. However, other forms appeared, including Moorish romances and the picaresque novel, known for its intense realism.

The Idealistic Novel

Several types of idealistic novels gained popularity:

• Novel of Chivalry: Set in the Middle Ages, featuring a knight as the protagonist (an epic hero).
• Pastoral Novel: Love stories between shepherds in a bucolic setting.
• Byzantine Novel: Adventures of a pair of high-born lovers.
• Moorish Novel: Action set in the Muslim world.

Lazarillo de Tormes: A Picaresque Masterpiece

The picaresque... Continue reading "16th-Century Spanish Literature: Trends & Context" »

Petrarchism and its Influence

Petrarch's songs had a huge significance and a decisive influence on later lyrics, both for their subjects and their forms, to the point of constituting an entire style or way of making poetry that is called Petrarchism.

Spanish Poetry in the 15th and 16th Centuries

In the 15th century, there was both learned poetry and folk poetry. A good example of the first is court poetry and songs, which mainly used octosyllables. In the 16th century, both types of poetry continued. Learned poetry was influenced by the popular song.

Features of Italian Poetry in Spanish Literature

• Complete and thorough metric renovation in Spanish poetry.
• Major innovation: the hendecasyllable.
• Idealization of the beloved and intense expression of

The House of Bernarda Alba: Poetic Symbolism and Social Commentary

Symbolic Level

This book demonstrates the author's ability to combine traditional and avant-garde aesthetics through a very personal take on theater. The House of Bernarda Alba is full of symbolic elements:

• Proper names have symbolic meaning. For example, "Magdalena" suggests a tendency to mourn and suffer martyrdom; "Angustias" evokes anguish, hatred, and envy; "Adela" represents a noble character eager for liberty. Several characters have no proper name and are referred to by their social role or personal characteristics, such as "Mendiga" (beggar woman) and "Muchacha" (girl).
• Characters are accompanied by objects that represent their aspirations or function. For instance, Bernarda'

Contemporary Poetry: 1975 to the Present

The 1980s and 1990s

Since the early 1980s, the prevailing aesthetics of the 1970s continued. The work of promoting poets from the 1960s continued, experiencing a stage of artistic fulfillment in book publishing. Different trends developed, among them, realistic poetry. The 1980s saw a recovery of the importance of poetic commitment and humor. Irrelevant matters of everyday life, contemporary, and urban realities appeared. The poetry of experience was the mainstream trend until the mid-1990s. There is great diversity of traits among the poets included in this trend, but we may cite the following general characteristics:

• Emphasis on the fictitious nature of the poem and the individual's experiences and visions

Miguel Hernández (1910-1942)

Four stages are established in his poetry:

• a) A stage characterized by Baroque-tone poetry.
• b) In 1936, he published "El rayo que no cesa" ("The Unending Lightning").
• c) During the war, a battle poetry that seeks to serve the Republican cause and published "Viento del pueblo" ("Wind of the People"). These are poems that mourn the death of Lorca. Miguel Hernández: "Man is a hunter."
• d) Naked and deep poetry.

1940s: Poetry and Literary Magazines

Poetry developed around three magazines: "Escorial," "Garcilaso," and "Espadaña."

• "Escorial": Poets of the Generation of '36 met, opting for intimate poetry with traditional lyrical themes: love, death, land, and landscape.
• "Garcilaso": Officially supported the Franco regime, consolidating

The Religious Lyric: Fray Luis, San Juan, and Santa Teresa

Two Schools of Thought

School of Salamanca: Focused on religious, moral, and philosophical issues, with a clear and simple style. Content is prioritized over form. Fray Luis de Leon is its primary representative.

Seville School: Characterized by a rhetorical style full of literary devices. Form is prioritized over content. The chief representative is Fernando de Herrera, who was in love with Leonor de Milan (platonic). Juan de Mal Lara influenced Fernando de Herrera.

Fray Luis de Leon

Fray Luis de Leon was closely linked to Salamanca, where he taught at the University. In his poems, he learned to synthesize the essence of the Christian Renaissance. His poetry is not extensive. The central... Continue reading "Religious Lyric Poetry: Fray Luis, San Juan, Santa Teresa" »

Critics lack a clear definition for the concepts of "Boom" and "Post-Boom" in Latin American literature. For some authors, the "Boom" signifies serious postmodernism. This identification is justified because both Euro-American modernist literature and the Latin American Boom exhibit a common rejection of traditional realistic style.

The most important feature of the Post-Boom is its return to storytelling and narrative. However, the relationship between these two pairs of terms (Boom/Post-Boom and Modern/Postmodern) is not identical: the term "postmodern" refers specifically to a particular genre—the literary narrative—and a region, particularly Latin America.

Most critics admit no clear dates or precise limits for these movements. One can... Continue reading "Latin American Narrative: Boom, Post-Boom, and The House of the Spirits" »

Roman Monarchy and the 509 BC Transition to Republic

Foundation of Rome (753 BC)

In the 8th century BC, Rome began as a farming community on the seven hills by the Tiber River. It evolved under Etruscan and Greek influence but was not initially a unified state. Rome was formally founded on April 21, 753 BC, uniting Latin and Sabine communities under Etruscan dominance, with the legendary King Romulus. This foundation was a deliberate political act, establishing the Populus Romanus Quirites (the body of Roman citizens).

Structure of the Roman Monarchy

The King (Rex)

Under the monarchy, the king (rex) reigned with the perceived approval of the gods. He served as the supreme leader, warrior, priest, and judge. The basis of his reign was authority and... Continue reading "Roman Monarchy to Republic: The 509 BC Patrician Shift" »

Authority vs. Desire for Freedom

The central theme of the play is the clash between authority, represented by Bernarda, and the desire for freedom, embodied by Maria Josefa and Adela. Beneath this lies the exploration of human relations and the social conflict they generate. Bernarda, as the head of the family, attempts to enforce her strict standards, while Adela, her daughter, and Maria Josefa, her mother, try to rebel against them.

Sensual Love and Pursuit of Men

Bernarda prevents men from approaching her daughters, deeming them unsuitable for their class. The emergence of Pepe el Romano ignites the passions of these women who long to marry to escape their mother's tyranny. Martirio desires Pepe, Angustias is to marry him, and Adela maintains... Continue reading "Themes in Bernarda Alba's House" »

Modernism: A Will for Change

In the late nineteenth century, dissatisfaction arose among young people. That desire for change presented two options: Modernism or the Generation of '98.

French Influences

• Parnassianism

  The name comes from the title of an anthology published by a diverse group of poets. These authors advocated the concept of "art for art's sake."

• Symbolism

  It sought to reflect feelings and emotions.

• Impressionism

  In literature, the style presents terms of commonality through a succession of isolated observations.

Modernism: Primacy of Beauty

• The Lexicon

  Employs types of words that bring beauty and strangeness.

• The Metric

  Renews traditional forms; unusual lines are used.

• The Style

  It is clear in newspaper articles and novels.

• Scenarios

  They are