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

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" »

Federico García Lorca (Fuente Vaqueros, Granada province, June 5, 1898 - Víznar, August 19, 1936) was a Spanish poet, playwright, and prose writer, also known for his skill in many arts. Assigned to the so-called Generation of '27, he is the most influential and popular poet of 20th-century Spanish literature. He was executed after the military uprising of the Spanish Civil War, due to his affinity with the Popular Front and for being openly homosexual.

Lorca's Poetic Evolution

Early Works and Modernist Touches

The first stage involves his production until 1927. Apart from the original Book of Poems (1921), which shows a touch of modernism, it includes First Songs (1922), Suites (1926), Songs (1927), some Odes, Gypsy Ballads (1928), and Poema

Pío Baroja: Life and Personality

Born in San Sebastián in 1872, Pío Baroja studied medicine in Madrid but soon left his practice as a doctor. He published his first books in 1900.

• Until 1911, he published 17 novels, constituting the most important part of his production.
• His fame was consolidated: His life became increasingly sedentary. In 1935, he joined the Royal Academy. The Spanish Civil War surprised him in the Basque Country, from where he went to France. In 1940, he settled again in Madrid. He died in 1956.
• He was a man of lonely and bitter mood.
• He was pessimistic about man and the world. However, he could feel tenderness for deprived or marginalized beings.

This complete and utter sincerity is a fundamental feature of his temperament.... Continue reading "Pío Baroja: Life, Works, and Influence on Spanish Literature" »

The Generation of '27 After the Spanish Civil War

The poets of the Generation of '27 first introduced new human themes, such as love. Some poets, driven by social concerns, became interested in politics. After the Civil War, the poetic group fractured. Federico García Lorca was shot in 1936, and the rest of the group dispersed. The exiled poets included Luis Cernuda, Rafael Alberti, Pedro Salinas, and Jorge Guillén. In their production, the subject of the lost homeland appears repeatedly.

In Spain, only Gerardo Diego, Dámaso Alonso, and Vicente Aleixandre remained, writing poetry focused on existential anguish.

Jorge Guillén

Work: Aire Nuestro

Guillén's major work, Aire Nuestro, mirrors the life and work of Juan Ramón Jiménez. This extensive... Continue reading "The Generation of '27: Post-Civil War Poetry, Exile, and Existential Anguish" »

Poetic Production Through the Ages

Poetic production appears ancient, lyrical, and deeply emotional, reflecting the soul of the dreamer. It covers a variety of lyrical topics and forms (metric and strophic), often highly elaborate, found even in the Books of the Bible. The poets sang their compositions, sometimes drawing from the fables of Aesop.

Medieval Period (XII-XIII Centuries)

In the medieval land of Provence, Provencal language poetry appeared. Authors, the troubadours, also composed the accompanying music. Minstrels sang in castles during the X century to entertain the nobility, showcasing great metric and strophic production. Courtly love was a game between a troubadour and a gallant lady, often the noblewoman of the feudal court. The... Continue reading "Evolution of Poetic Expression Through Eras" »