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

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

Fate as a Result of Human Awkwardness

The narrative contains all the basic elements of fate: there is one death (an inescapable finality), that death has been announced, and there is an eyewitness account which simply tells what happened, but no capacity to intervene in the events.

The work, Chronicle of a Death Foretold, is presented as the author's incursion into the world of fatalism. Santiago Nasar is doomed, fatally. No compromise is possible, because fatalism is a structural element without which the work will not be what it is.

Destiny, Stupidity, and the Tragic Result

Destiny also dominates the story, making it a fatal tragedy of sense. But unlike classical tragedy, here it is not the gods who decide men's fate from above; rather, this... Continue reading "Fatalism and Human Stupidity in Chronicle of a Death Foretold Analysis" »

Twentieth-Century Hispanic American Poetry

The first major literary movement in Latin America was a native mode of Modernism. The influence of Modernism in Hispanic America was enormous, forming the basis for the continent's literary development. However, by 1920, modernist innovations were insufficient, and new poets sought fresh approaches. Generally, Latin American poetry of the twentieth century navigated between two ideological poles, similar to European aesthetics.

Ideological Currents in Latin American Poetry

• The tension between the cosmopolitan trend, linked with universal issues and themes, and the need to reflect American reality.
• The contrast between a concept of poetry as pure art, in line with European avant-garde principles, and the

Early Poetic Period and Conservative Views

In the initial stage of Miguel Hernández's career, characterized by religious expression and conservatism, the poet advocated for hard work and the voluntary renunciation of worldly passions. His first published play, Quién te ha visto y quién te ve y sombra de lo que eras (Who Has Seen You and Who You See and Shadow of What You Were), is a religious work. This play critically examines the revolutionary actions of peasants, anarchists, communists, and labor unions.

The prevailing social and political situation of the time mirrored that of the late 19th century: a powerful territorial oligarchy, a conservative clergy, and an authoritarian military class. Despite this, Miguel Hernández did offer suggestions... Continue reading "Miguel Hernández: Poetry, Politics, and Social Commitment" »

Location and Historical Context

The Imperial Era was the most splendid period of Roman civilization, when it reached its maximum territorial expansion around the Mediterranean, the Mare Nostrum. Roman society was based on a slave production system, mainly utilizing prisoners of war. The large number of Roman slaves enabled great agricultural production, crafts, trade, and the construction of monumental architectural and engineering works. Without this system, building such extensive structures would have been unthinkable. Those who benefited from this system were the Roman citizens, divided into two groups: the patricians, who formed the ruling class, and the plebeians, who did not possess all the rights and privileges. Trade, much like with... Continue reading "The Roman Empire: Expansion, Society, and Culture" »

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" »

Narcís Oller (Barcelona, 1846–1930)

He is considered the creator of the modern Catalan novel. He began writing in Spanish, but his commitment to realism and contemporary social relations led him to adopt Catalan. Oller was the author who put naturalist techniques into practice.

Major Novels by Narcís Oller

The public and critical success encouraged him to continue developing realism and naturalism. The best of his six novels are:

• La Papallona (The Butterfly): Tonet, a poor orphan girl, is seduced and abandoned by a "butterfly" of a higher social class, but they finally get married. The plot is romantic, but the thorough descriptions place it between realism and naturalism.
• L'Escanyapobres (The Miser): The protagonist's passion for money brings

Roman Urban Planning: Grid System & City Layout

In their new towns, the Romans adopted a grid system. Its origin lay in the structure of a military camp, enabling rapid army movement in any direction. This rational structure functionally distributed space, allowing inhabitants to easily orient themselves and navigate the streets.

The city was structured around two main axes: the decumanus (east-west) and the cardo (north-south). From these two axes, the centuriation or division of parcels developed, with each city block typically containing 100 properties. At the intersection of both axes, the most representative public buildings were located: the forum (a large central square, serving as a meeting and recreation center), and surrounding... Continue reading "Roman Urbanism, Portraiture & Relief Art" »

The Literary Movement of Humanism

Humanism was a fourteenth-century literary movement that rejected Theocentrism, shifting focus toward the centralization of man. Man began to become the hub of all things. This movement originated in the fourteenth century and concluded in the middle of the fifteenth century, championing a revival of classical roots.

Characteristics of Literary Humanism

The characteristics of literary Humanism include the rejection of all theocentric or classicizing ideologies, focusing instead on the research of what is new and governed by man. This movement notably highlighted the Italian poet, Francesco Petrarch.

Ausiàs March: Style and Poetic Innovation

Language and Style

Ausiàs March is often considered the first poet to write... Continue reading "Ausiàs March: Catalan Poetry, Humanism, and the Philosophy of Love" »