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

Grammar & Linguistic Concepts

This section delves into the fundamental building blocks and structures of language.

Phoneme: Smallest Unit of Sound

The phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a language that can distinguish one word from another, though it is meaningless on its own (e.g., the 'd', 'c', 'e', 'n', 's' sounds in 'docenas').

The Syllable: Vocal Impulse Units

A syllable consists of one or more phonemes spoken with a single vocal impulse (e.g., do-ce-nas).

The Morpheme: Meaningful Language Units

The morpheme is the smallest unit endowed with meaning, though its meaning may depend on its combination with other elements (e.g., doc-ena-s).

The Word: Lexical Meaning Units

A word is the union of one or more morphemes, forming a unit with full... Continue reading "Foundations of Language & Medieval Literary Traditions" »

The Novel

The novel Curial e Güelfa, written in the mid-fifteenth century, is an anonymous work. The author might be from the Valencian court of Alfonso V of Aragon in Naples. It is a story of love and arms that follows Curial, a knight, and his feats and deeds on behalf of the noble Güelfa, driven by a desire for personal promotion. The book contains numerous references to the classical Greco-Roman literary tradition, including Plato and Ovid. It also draws inspiration from Italian authors of that time, such as Dante and Boccaccio, as well as Catalan writers like Ramon Muntaner and Ramon Llull. The novel is divided into three books.

Book One: The Theme of Love

Curial, a young man of humble origins, enters the court of the Marquis of Monferrat,... Continue reading "Curial e Güelfa: A 15th-Century Chivalric Romance" »

Lazarillo de Tormes

Lazarillo de Tormes is an anonymous work, censored in 1554 for its strong anticlerical content. It is presented as an autobiography, a first-person account written in the form of a letter to "Your Grace." The narrator recounts his past life to justify his present state of dishonor.

The book consists of a foreword and seven chapters or 'treatises.'

Key Features:

• The protagonist is the son of parents without honor.
• He experiences hunger and the desire for social advancement.
• He loses his innocence, evolves, and learns.

Themes:

• Reflection of the reality of society and the conflicts of Spain.
• Critique of the obsession with honor.
• Corruption of the clergy.

Structure:

• Chapters 1, 2, and 3: Early life and masters (Blind man, Clergyman, Squire)

Quim Monzó: A Key Catalan Storyteller

Quim Monzó is a prominent figure in Catalan literature, alongside Pere Calders. While his short stories are well-known, his novels deserve greater recognition. Monzó's work includes novels, short stories, and articles, with a focus on short stories.

His novels include: "The Howl of the Gray Edge of the Drains," "Gasoline," and "The Magnitude of the Tragedy." He also has seven short novels, including "Self Service" and "Guadalajara."

Monzó's work can be divided into two stages:

• Initial: "The Howl of the Gray Edge of the Sewers" and "UF He Said."
• Later Stage: More interesting and rich, influenced by Freud, psychoanalysis, existentialism, and Marxism.

He uses irony as a key resource, often employing parody of... Continue reading "Quim Monzó and Post-War Catalan Poetry Trends" »

Literary Genres and Periods

Genre Definition

Formal manifestations of literary works according to a classification that takes into account the structure and topic covered.

Medieval Chronicles

• Book of Deeds: Life and deeds of the most important monarch, James I.
• The Chronicle of Bernat Desclot: Chronicles the reigns from Alfonso the Chaste to Peter II the Great.
• The Chronicle of Ramon Muntaner: Covers the period from the birth of James I to the coronation of Alfonso III the Liberal.
• Chronicle of Peter IV of Aragon: Discusses his reign and that of his father, Alfonso III the Liberal.

Humanism

Originating in Italy, recovering the works of classical antiquity. The Renaissance period was a decisive influence on artistic expression and ways of life, bringing... Continue reading "Catalan Literature: Periods, Authors, Works" »

The Generation of '98

Three Key Stages

1. Youth and Rebellion (Early 1900s)

This era saw authors like Azorín characterized by a rebellious spirit and revolutionary stance, exemplified by figures like Pío Baroja and Ramiro de Maeztu.

2. Reform and Manifesto (1901)

In 1901, Azorín, Pío Baroja, and Ramiro de Maeztu published a manifesto aimed at encouraging social change in Spain. Their goal was reform through political action.

3. Maturity and Introspection (1910s)

Around 1910, the Generation of '98 authors shifted their focus from societal change to individual problems, exploring themes of existentialism and irrationalism, often reflecting their personal views on Spain's history and their place within it.

Defining the Generation of '98

There are... Continue reading "Spanish Generation of '98: Literature, History, and Legacy" »

Fescennine Verses: Origins and Characteristics

The term "Fescennine Verses" originates from an Etruscan town and is linked to Etruscan harvest festivals celebrating the collection of crops. These verses consisted of dialogues in verse, often satirical and licentious, exchanged between two peasants who sharpened their wit to throw barbs and insults.

Atellan Farce: Improvised Comedy

The Atellan Farce derived its name from the Oscan territory of Atella. These representations consisted of improvised and rudimentary storylines. The actors wore masks, and the characters were always the same, embodying stock types.

Saturae: Early Roman Dramatic Performances

Livy recounts that in 364 B.C., Roman players came to Rome and added music and dance to Etruscan... Continue reading "Ancient Roman Theater: Forms and Key Playwrights" »

Verb Periphrasis

The verbal periphrasis category is comprised of two forms of verbal play; conjointly, they are the core function of the verb phrase.

Function of the Non-Auxiliary Personal Verb

Classes: infinitive, gerund, participle periphrasis.

Classification Based on Meaning

• Temporals: Refer to the beginning, development, conclusion, or repetition of the action.
• Modals: Indicate the speaker's attitude towards the verbal action, which occurs either as a duty, a potential, or a capacity.

Popular and Cultivated Lyric Poetry in the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, lyric poetry in various Romance languages of the Iberian Peninsula developed into two main components: a popular one and a cultivated one.

Popular Lyric Poetry

The collection of anonymous

Early Spanish Literature

This period presents challenges due to the oral transmission of many texts. The earliest known lyrical expressions are the Jarchas, short poems of Mozarabic origin, often appended to longer poems (Muwasahas). Within this century, the Mester de Juglaría flourished, exemplified by works like the Poem of the Cid.

Auto de los Reyes Magos

• Anonymous religious play.
• Part of a cycle of acts.
• Focuses on the journey and adoration of the Magi.

Mester de Clerecía

Associated with the clergy and monasteries, where culture and learning were developed and preserved. Key characteristics include:

• Religious and historical themes.
• Influence of classical antiquity.
• Written in cuadernavía (fourteen-syllable lines in monorhyme quatrains).
• Didactic

Spanish Theater: Main Trends

There are three main trends in Spanish theater:

• Theater of Tax Avoidance or Consumption: A continuation of the style established by Jacinto Benavente, it aims to entertain a public that identifies with the moral values of the bourgeoisie. Some representative authors are José Maria Pemán, Joaquín Calvo Sotelo, Juan Ignacio Luca de Tena, etc.
• Theater of Humor: Of an intellectual nature, it presents crazy situations, full of imagination and ingenuity, which demonstrate human contradictions. Notable authors include Enrique Jardiel Poncela (*Eloísa Is Beneath an Almond Tree*, *Thieves Are Honest People*) and Miguel Mihura.

Miguel Mihura's *Three Top Hats*

In Miguel Mihura's (1905-1977) production, *Three Top Hats* stands... Continue reading "Spanish Theater and Literature: Trends and Key Authors" »