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

Assessment of Los Pazos de Ulloa

This work, belonging to the Realist movement, was produced during the second half of the nineteenth century in Spain. Its historical backdrop is crucial, marked by significant political upheaval.

Historical and Political Context

The period was shaped by the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution, which led to the fall and exile of Isabel II and the proclamation of the First Republic in 1873, followed by the eventual restoration of the monarchy. This era established the Bipartisan System (Liberal and Conservative) and entrenched oligarchic centralism. Governance was heavily based on the provincial and rural environment, dominated by local strongmen (warlords or caciques).

This time also saw the consolidation of the... Continue reading "Literary Analysis of Los Pazos de Ulloa and Spanish Realism" »

Education in Ancient Rome

5.2 The education in Rome.

In the first period, Roman education was borne by the family. Apart from the first 7 years spent with the mother, the male parent took charge of the boys while mothers took care of the girls until marriage. To conquer colonies in southern Italy, the Greek system was adopted, and the educational way was renewed to be:

• Primary Education

  It was led by the school teacher; the school was called the "ludus." Children from 7 to 12 years old attended, where they learned to read, write, and count.

• Secondary Education

  It was headed by a professor named grammaticus and was only for boys from 12 to 16 years old. They were taught Latin and Greek literature, and they also learned music (piano and dance fiddling)

The Roman Republic

From Monarchy to Republic

After the expulsion of King Lucius, Rome entered its republican period, lasting until 27 BC. The monarchy was replaced by a more complex system:

• Two Consuls: Elected annually, these two individuals shared equal power.
• Magistrates: Officials responsible for various functions, including censors, quaestors, and councilors.
• The Senate: Expanded to include commoners.

Expansion in Italy

Two major conflicts shaped Roman conquest in Italy:

• Samnite Wars (343-290 BC): Rome fought against various allied Italic peoples, ultimately achieving victory in 283 BC.
• Intervention of Pyrrhus (281 BC): The Greek colony of Tarentum sought aid from Pyrrhus, King of Epirus, against Rome. Rome's subsequent victory secured control

Alfonso X the Wise: A Legacy of Knowledge

Alfonso X the Wise significantly fostered intellectual growth through the Toledo School of Translators, a crucial center for the transmission of knowledge across cultures.

Historical Works

• General Chronicle: The first comprehensive history written in Castilian Spain.
• Grand Estoria: Intended as a universal history, spanning from the creation of the world up to his own time, including narratives such as the lineage of the Virgin Mary's parents.

Scientific Works

Alfonso X's court was a hub for scientific inquiry, particularly in astronomy and natural sciences.

• Books on Astronomy: Detailed treatises describing the movement of the stars.
• Lapidary: A comprehensive work exploring the properties of stones and minerals.

Home of San Pedro de Moissac

This architectural work, known as the "Home of San Pedro de Moissac," is a Romanesque-style piece dating back to the 12th century. The author is unknown. The primary material used is stone, similar to that used in the Church of Saint-Pierre in Moissac, Languedoc. The tympanum depicts the Apocalypse, with a grand Christ in Majesty at its center, surrounded by the Tetramorph (symbols of the four Evangelists). The scene is completed with the 24 elders of the Apocalypse, separated by the waves of the sea of glass, which are also present on the jambs. On the left jamb, Isaiah appears, while Saint Peter is represented on the mullion. Apocalyptic beasts are depicted on the mullion. The rosettes carved on the lintel are... Continue reading "Masterpieces of Romanesque and Gothic Architecture and Art" »

The Catalan Bourgeoisie and 19th Century Politics

During the nineteenth century, the Catalan bourgeois class played a starring role, contributing to a chiseled profile of Catalan politics. In Catalonia, the defense of protectionist policies (laws to protect industry) found strong support. Catalan bourgeois intellectualism saw the revival of culture as a crucial channel for transmitting its class interests.

Intellectual Responses to the Industrial Revolution

Prominent figures proposed solutions and perspectives on the Industrial Revolution:

• Jaume Balmes: A significant intellectual figure.
• Mañé i Flaquer: Advocated for patriarchal values.
• Valentí Almirall: Responsible for creating Lo Catalanista (1886) and the newspaper Diari Català.
• Josep Torras

Modernist Poetry

Regenerationist Poetry

This trend advocated for spontaneous, pure, and sincere poetry, emphasizing the expression of the artist's emotivity. Formal concerns were secondary, aligning with a vitalist perspective where themes felt like a second nature.

Aestheticist Poetry

This movement connected poets with Europe's most innovative poetic trends. It championed cultured, processed, and contrived poetry, both in form and content.

Joan Maragall (1860-1911)

Considered Barcelona's most important poet, Joan Maragall represented the regenerationist edge of Modernism. His poetic theory was based on the "living word" (paraula viva). For Maragall, the word was sacred because it revealed the most intimate vibration of the poet.

In his poetry, the... Continue reading "Catalan Modernism: Literary and Theatrical Movements" »

Spanish Poetry: The 1950s and the Promotion of '60

The Poetry of Social Commitment (The 1950s)

This movement understood poetry primarily as communication. Its themes, which dominated the 1950s and even the mid-1960s, included:

• Calls to action and the defense of socialist and communist ideologies.
• Direct references to the Spanish Civil War.
• Criticism of capitalism and ideological manipulation.
• Anti-Franco sarcasm.

Key Figures of the 1950s

José Hierro

Hierro constantly blends surrealism with existential reflection and irony, focusing on the theme of paradise lost and the fall of man, whether in its personal or social dimension. His work, especially Cinco de la 42, is highly regarded.

Gabriel Celaya

Celaya rebelled against what he termed the “language... Continue reading "Spanish Poetry Movements: Commitment and Knowledge (1950-1960)" »

Publication and Initial Context

Luces de bohemia was first published in the journal España in 1920 and appeared in 1924 in book form with some modifications. Valle's intent is not to recreate specific historical facts; the work cannot be placed in a single given year, but rather captures the atmosphere of an era. The play presents a concrete historical and social picture within a specific time and space. The action takes place over a single, 'unreal' day, encompassing social unrest and repression.

Historical and Literary References

Characters, institutions, and events highlight the crisis of '98 and the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera. Despite the short timeframe of the work, there are many historical and literary references that do not strictly... Continue reading "Context of Valle-Inclán's Luces de Bohemia" »

Baroque Narrative Prose and the Modern Novel

While narrative forms in verse existed, most Baroque narrative focused on cultivating the novel genre. Subgenres from the previous stage, such as the pastoral novel, continued to be cultivated. Examples include La Galatea by Cervantes or Arcadia by Lope de Vega. Other prominent subgenres included:

• Greek Novel: Following classical models of adventure and romance.
• Courtesan Novel: Set in an atmosphere of high society, generally dealing with amorous matters.
• Picaresque Novel: Continuing the narrative structure started with Lazarillo de Tormes, featuring a protagonist who must justify their past life. A key example is El Buscón (The Swindler) by Quevedo.

The most notable aspect of Baroque narrative is the... Continue reading "The Birth of the Modern Novel: Spanish Baroque & Renaissance Prose" »