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Spanish Theater Before 1939

Introduction: Theater in Spain before 1939 was largely aimed at commercial purposes, primarily guided by the tastes of entrepreneurs, the aristocracy, and the bourgeoisie. This mainstream theater often showed strong resistance to innovation. Two main trends can be distinguished during this period:

Mainstream Commercial Theater

This was the dominant theatrical form, often following conventions established in the second half of the 19th century. Key aspects included:

• Bourgeois Comedy: Its subject matter typically focused on the societal norms, customs, and vices of the middle and upper classes.
• Historical-Poetic Theater in Verse: This genre often praised noble ideas, patriotism, and significant figures or events from Spanish

Federico García Lorca and "La casa de Bernarda Alba"

This fragment delves into Federico García Lorca's play La casa de Bernarda Alba. Lorca, a renowned poet, playwright, and prose writer, was a prominent figure of the Generation of '27. The play was written in 1936, shortly before his tragic execution. While the specific act (I, II, or III) of the chosen fragment is not detailed here, the play itself offers a profound exploration of its themes.

Lorca's Theatrical Characteristics

Lorca's theater stands as one of the most significant contributions to 20th-century Spanish drama. It is characterized by:

• Poetic Drama: His plays often revolve around powerful symbols.
• Episodic Structure: The plot frequently unfolds through distinct scenes or "prints.

Federico García Lorca's Theatrical Legacy

Federico García Lorca, a prominent member of the Generation of '27, created plays that are considered as valuable as his poetry. He wrote his most famous works after 1930. Thematic coherence was maintained throughout his work, and loneliness, pain, and death were constant themes. His dramatic creation began in his youth, with certain modernist influences and the drama of Eduardo Marquina (The Hex). He created puppets for farces such as Tragicomedy of Don Cristobal and Password Roseta.

Surrealist Works

His more surreal, so-called "impossible theater" works, are: If Five Years Pass, The Public, and Play Without a Title. These works broke with traditional staging and some logical aspects, hence the difficulty... Continue reading "Federico García Lorca's Theatrical Legacy: A Deep Dive" »

Machado: His Works and Evolving Themes

The central issues in Antonio Machado's works—time, love, sleep, worry, and Spain—evolve throughout his writing life. His poetry ranges from intimate and melancholy to more subjective and objective explorations.

Poetic Development (Circa 1907)

Around 1907, Machado sought intimacy in his poetry, focusing on:

• Poetry outside of time, the eternal present.
• Substantive and adjective poetry.
• Poetry set in the past and observing the real world.

First Poetry Book: "Solitudes, Galleries, and Other Poems"

He continuously revised his first book of poetry over the years:

• 1903: "Solitudes"
• 1907: Modification of "Solitude"
• 1917: "Complete Poems and Solitude"
• 1919: Final version: "Solitudes, Galleries, and Other Poems"

This work... Continue reading "Antonio Machado's Poetic Evolution and Themes" »

Hadrian, officially known as Imperator Caesar Divi filius Traiani Hadrianus Augustus, and Divus Hadrianus after deification, was emperor of the Roman Empire of the Ulpius-Aelia dynasty and the third of the Five Good Emperors. During his reign, the empire reached its greatest territorial extent. Hadrian's interests were highlighted by philosophy.

Born in Rome into a wealthy family hailing from Piceno (Italy) and established in the late third century C. near modern Seville, he was a second nephew by Trajan's maternal line. Trajan, though never publicly naming him his heir, gave several examples of preference during his reign and, according to the statement by his wife, Pompeia Plotina, declared him as such moments before dying. Although it is... Continue reading "Hadrian: Roman Emperor, Reign, and Legacy" »

Miguel Hernández: A Life in Poetry

Hernández was born in Orihuela (Alicante). He studied at a college of the Society of Jesus until the age of 14 when he left school to help his father in the family business. In his free time, he frequented the public library where he read classics and mystics.

Hernández's Poetic Journey

Hernández's poetry began with creative verses full of images of the Hispanic tradition. His work marks the transition between earlier authors and a new era. His poetry is characterized by its virile and heartfelt tone, its humanity, and technical perfection. He uses metaphors, sometimes primitive, sometimes surreal, but always full of strength. He highlights life, evocations of the natural and rural. The main theme of his... Continue reading "Miguel Hernández: Life, Poetry, and Legacy" »

Follas Novas: Rosalía's Psychological Depth

Follas Novas, written in Galician, reveals the full psychological complexity of Rosalía de Castro. Its most relevant poems showcase her subjectivity and conception of the world. In poems where she speaks of herself, we see a Rosalía characterized by:

• Pain
• Suffering
• Despair
• Loneliness

Death often appears as the only solution in these personal reflections. Poems with social themes primarily address emigration and the plight of migrant women, who are left alone and must perform traditional female tasks.

En las Orillas del Sar: Rosalía's Final Poetic Work

En las Orillas del Sar was Rosalía de Castro's last book. Its themes and tone align closely with those of Follas Novas. It is poetry marked by disappointment,... Continue reading "Rosalía de Castro: Pain, Love & Saudade in Her Poetry" »

Themes in Don Quixote

• Utopia and Reality: The conflict between an individual wishing to carry out his dream, "his madness," and an environment that prevents it.
• Justice: The hero is moved by a spirit of vengeance.
• Love: The need to find a beautiful lady who embodies Platonic love. Love will be the engine of many of his adventures.
• Literature: Don Quixote is in itself a repertoire of literary genres of his time.

Characters in Don Quixote

There are more than 700 distinct and individualized characters. They are well-rounded and outlined by dialogue.

Don Quixote

Don Quixote is a gentleman in his 50s who is driven mad by reading chivalric romances. He represents the crazy-sane trope and therefore has an obvious mental clarity that amazes all who hear him.... Continue reading "Don Quixote: Themes, Characters, and Literary Style" »

Spanish Poetry: A Reflection of Society and Change

This lyric responds to the socio-political situation of Spain, mirroring the novel's desire for immediate world transformation through the denouncement of injustice. It adopts a narrative tone, characterized by simplicity and a focus on lexical items over form, emphasizing what is told rather than how.

What is significant, compared to the lyric poetry of the 1940s, is the formal shift towards verse less bound by classical forms. This new poetry embraces a literary language that reflects the true pulse of contemporary society, incorporating hints of humor, irony, colloquialism, and synaptic breaks.

The Renovation and Experimentalism of the Sixties

The late 1960s witnessed a remarkable change, driven... Continue reading "Spanish Poetry: Social Commentary and Literary Evolution" »

Camilo José Cela

*La Familia de Pascual Duarte* (1942)

With La Familia de Pascual Duarte, Cela initiated a new approach to incorporating reality as a literary theme, showcasing the sordid and terrible aspects of life. This work opened a new path in literature, permeated by tremendismo, which dominated the postwar years. The novel caused a great impact, as it was far from being a story with moral character. The protagonist, a condemned man, recounts his life, full of terrible events, such as the murder of his own mother. The author takes up the tradition of 19th-century realism and the picaresque. The narrator is capable of deep thoughts. The story is in the first person, and the temporary vision implies a selective memory of events experienced.... Continue reading "Camilo José Cela and the Evolution of the Spanish Novel" »