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

Catalan Humanism: The Shift from Medieval Thought

The Rise of Humanism

The late fourteenth century marked a significant shift from the medieval mindset. Across Europe, and particularly in the sixteenth century, a new focus on human agency emerged. This movement, known as humanism, liberated individuals from theocratic authority, placing them at the center of intellectual and artistic pursuits. Medieval dogmatism was abandoned, replaced by an environment where questioning and debate were encouraged. Reason became the primary source of knowledge, leading to a renewed interest in Greco-Latin culture.

Philosophically, humanism embraced Epicurean ideals, such as the pursuit of knowledge for pleasure, the avoidance of fear, and the questioning of... Continue reading "Catalan Humanism: Bernat Metge and the Dawn of Reason" »

Throughout this decade, there is a process of narrative renewal. The main charges against the social novelists of the fifties were the futility of their conception of literature as an instrument of social change and the impoverishment of the artistic quality. There appears a kind of experimental novel, more concerned with formal and linguistic aspects of the story than the objective reproduction of reality: the how is of as much interest as what counts.

Viewpoint

Although the omniscient narrator or the narrator with a social objective of the fifties are no longer used, the narrator-player is often used, which lets you focus the story from several perspectives. Some novelists even advocate the disappearance of the author, who would only give the... Continue reading "Evolution of the Spanish Novel: Narrative Renewal" »

Blas de Otero: Poetic Techniques and Themes

In the first poem of the book, the author announces the abandonment of his earlier, distraught poetry and declares: "I give all my poems for a man / in peace." This solidarity has allowed him to overcome his feelings of anguish. The poems on Spain are about love and pain, with its distant past remembered with pain, and love of its lands. Blas de Otero recalls his demands for peace, justice, and freedom, and proclaims his faith and hope for a better Spain.

In terms of style, his work has grown from the dramatic tones of previous books to simpler issues, but behind that simplicity often hides a hard work in the presence of abundant phonetic and lexical parallels, etc. Que trata de España is a large collection... Continue reading "Blas de Otero: Analysis of Poetic Techniques and Themes" »

Upon receipt of a letter from Marina Carrascal, accepting the relationship that Avitus proposed, he says: "The manual has been copied from some, and is satisfied. But is not the copy the same instinct, nature, matter? The letter will say what it wants, but what about the eyes? ... Oh, my eyes! Here you can copy it all, do not copy anything; they are absolutely original, classic originals..."

Analysis of the Dialogue

The Dynamics of Control and Passion

1.1. The text reflects the dialogue between Avitus Carrascal and Marina in the interview they maintain after Marina accepts Avitus's proposition of a relationship. In this passage, Avitus tries to maintain a position of control and mastery of the situation from a rational point of view, but despite... Continue reading "Avitus and Marina: A Dialogue of Passion" »

Azorín (1896)

Azorín, in 1896 Madrid, collaborated with newspapers and magazines. His life, though quiet, included political involvement. He traveled extensively in Spain, less abroad, and was a leading figure of the Generation of '98 alongside Maeztu and Baroja. His themes included the reality of Spain, its landscapes, and people. His literary work divides into two groups:

• Essays: Focusing on landscape (Landscape of Spain) and reinterpreting classical texts (Castilla, People).
• Novels: With four stages:
  • Predominance of biographical elements and impressions (Confessions of a Little Philosopher).
  • Reflection of his concerns through characters (Destiny).
  • Marked by avant-garde and personal drama (People).
  • Fiction (The Island Without Aurora).

Machado

Machado... Continue reading "Azorín and Machado: Literary Paths in Modern Spain" »

Lyric Poetry

Lyric poetry traditionally expresses intense feelings or profound reflections, both manifestations of the self's experience. Fray Luis de León wasn't just a poet but also a prose writer and political thinker. His work reveals a deep understanding of ancient texts, both biblical and classical Latin poetry, especially the works of Horace. He translated several of Horace's works, which significantly influenced his own poetry. A key example in Castilian is the Song of Songs, the commentary on the last of the Proverbs of Solomon.

Horace's Lyrical Poetry

Horace's Odes are his most celebrated lyrical work, consisting of four books, the last added near the end of his life. The themes vary:

• Love Odes: Dedicated to Lydia, Pyrrha, Chloe, and

1. The National Comedy

The term "National Comedy" is applied generically to Spanish dramatic production of the 17th century. This period witnessed a true theatrical renewal, largely thanks to the innovative ideas of Lope de Vega. Seeking popular appeal, Lope broke away from the rigid rules of earlier drama, transforming theatre into a spectacle for the masses. His vision is reflected in the new comedies of the time.

1.1. Themes

Comedies of this era present a diverse range of themes, drawing inspiration from contemporary literature, medieval and classical sources, and historical events. These sources include everyday life, theology, history, and folklore. A particularly significant theme is that of honor. Honor, lost through one's own actions... Continue reading "17th-Century Spanish Comedy: A Dramatic Renewal" »

Location Expressions

• Behind = Detrás de
• In front of = Al frente de
• Next to = Al lado de
• Between = Entre
• Inside = Dentro de
• Outside = Afuera de
• On the corner of = En la esquina de
• Across from / Opposite = Cruzando, lado de la calle del frente

Using "There is" and "There are"

Affirmative

• There is = "Hay" (Singular)
• There are = "Hay" (Plural)

Question

• Is there...? (Singular)
• Are there...? (Plural)

Examples:

Is there a supermarket near Inacap?

Yes, there are some in Zona Franca.

Are there any drugstores near here?

No, there aren't any, but there are some on España Ave.

There is one next to Unimarc supermarket, and there is one across from the supermarket.

Ordinal Numbers

1st first    3rd third      5th fifth    7th seventh    9th ninth

2nd second   ... Continue reading "Essential English Phrases and Grammar Points" »

Germanic Migrations and the Fall of Rome

Decline of the Western Roman Empire

Germanic tribes lived to the north of the Roman Empire. The Romans called them barbarians. The empire's wealth and military weakness led to a series of Germanic migrations across the frontier. Some of these were violent invasions. Roman control over its northern territories gradually declined after the third century. In 395, Emperor Theodosius divided the empire between two sons to make it easier to defend. Thus, the western and eastern provinces became the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. Romulus Augustulus, the last emperor of the Western Empire, was deposed in 476. For some historians, this date marks the beginning of the Middle Ages.

Emergence of

Catalan Poetry: From the 1970s to the 1990s

9.A. At the beginning of the 1970s, Foix's work was recovered, and two books crucial to overcoming realism were published. These books tipped Catalan poetry: The Mirror by Peter Gimferrer and Trench Poetry by Joan Brossa. In Valencia, the new references were Joan Navarro and Salvador Jàfer. The anthology of Amadeus Fabregat (Fresh Meat) collected this change of direction that turned away from the preceding realism. Poetry is not realistic. In a few years, the following features became dominant:

• Practical rebellion: Connecting writing practices that had shaped the history of 20th-century poetry, poetry is regarded as freelance speech.
• The poetic word stops being used to narrate and becomes suggestive,