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

General Characteristics of Literary Modernism

Modernism in literature emerged in the late nineteenth century, roughly between 1880 and 1914.

It is a pivotal literary movement, often associated with the work of Rubén Darío, particularly his seminal text, Azul..., published in 1888 in Chile.

Modernism stands in opposition to Realism, drawing its linguistic and aesthetic foundation from two major lyrical movements of the second half of the nineteenth century:

• Parnassianism: It is a literary school that adheres strictly to the principle of "art for art's sake," featuring poetry based on exotic themes and elaborated in meticulous detail.
• Symbolism: This aesthetic movement encouraged writers to express their ideas, feelings, and values implicitly through

Characteristics of Romanticism

Romanticism is a cultural movement that opposes the principles of the Enlightenment.

• Rejection of reason in favor of imagination.
• An idealistic vision of humanity, driving the quest for freedom.
• A search for the exotic and distant as a form of escapism from reality.
• Interest in tradition and the recovery of legends.
• A turn towards the irrational and mysterious.

In Literature

• Rejection of neoclassical precepts.
• Defense of metric freedom and the mixing of characters and literary genres.

Literary Themes

• Desperate and impossible love.
• Ruins as a symbol of the passage of time.
• Anxiety and the desire for freedom from rules.
• Nature as a reflection of the poet's feelings.
• Death as an end to anguish.
• Disillusionment with ideals.
• Destiny

Lyrical Learned Catalan

Provence emerged in troubadour poetry, where a lyrical character was created by known authors. Their compositions for song were released by the minstrels. The troubadours created a fine art that was difficult: "The verse was based on the number of syllables and ought to be strictly consonant rhyme."

Genres of Provençal Poetry

• Cansó: Composition of loving nature, always from male to female, reflecting feudal ideology. Love relationships are treated as feudal relations between lord and vassal.
• Sirventes: Was employed as an expression of anger, personal attack...

The Concept of Courtly Love

Like the troubadours, who were intimately linked with the courts, they had a decisive influence on their work. Courtesy, in opposition... Continue reading "Troubadour Poetry: Catalan, Galician-Portuguese, Arabic & Hebrew Lyrics" »

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 end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939 left a bleak cultural outlook: death, exile, humiliation, or muted expression. This year marked, in practice, a "year zero" for poetry in Spain. Federico García Lorca and Antonio Machado were dead, and much of the Generation of '27 was in exile. The Silver Age of Spanish literature had reached its tragic end.

Between 1939 and 1975, Spain lived under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. The post-war period was marked by international isolation and severe political repression. Poets remaining in Spain either aligned with the ideology and aesthetics of the victors (known as Poesía Arraigada or "Rooted Poetry") or maintained an internal exile (Poesía Desarraigada or "Uprooted Poetry").

The 1950s saw an... Continue reading "Spanish Poetry After the Civil War: Franco Era to Transition" »

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