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This document highlights key figures and their significant contributions to Spanish literature, focusing on the Modernist movement and the Generation of '98.

Rubén Darío

Rubén Darío was born in Nicaragua, a diplomat by profession, who came into contact with new poetry trends in Argentina. He visited Spain in 1892 and 1899, returning recognized as the greatest exponent of Modernism. His notable works include Azul, Prosas Profanas, and Cantos de Vida y Esperanza.

Key Aspects of Rubén Darío's Work

• Themes: Exoticism, cosmopolitanism, sensuality, asceticism, intimacy, and unworthiness, along with an abundance of Hispanic themes. An example is 'Cyrano in Spain'.
• Form: Enriched lexicon and revolutionized metrics, utilizing all resources to create

Poetry

Postwar (1940s)

Interruption of cultural life due to the Civil War. Poetry rooted in compliance with the regime: El Escorial, Luis Rosales, Leopoldo Panero, José García Nieto. Uprooted poetry reflecting the hopelessness of existence: Bulrush, José Hierro, Blas de Otero, Dámaso Alonso.

Social Poetry (1950s)

Shift from existentialist despair. Key authors include: Gabriel Celaya (three stages), and Blas de Otero (lawyer, professor).

Poetry of the 1950s Generation

Focus on refined language and poetic themes. Key authors include: Jaime Gil de Biedma (Traveling Companions), Antonio Gamoneda (Uprising Still).

Theatre

Postwar (1940s)

Conventional theatre: José María Pemán. Humoristic theatre, often absurd and witty: Enrique Jardiel Poncela (based... Continue reading "Postwar Spanish Literature: Poetry, Theatre, and Novels" »

The Generation of '27: A Literary Overview

The Generation of '27 was a group of Spanish poets who shared friendships and activities. Their work was influenced by Góngora, particularly after the commemoration of his death in 1927. Their themes were varied, including nostalgia, the life of soldiers, death, and love.

A key characteristic of this generation was the search for a balance between tradition and innovation. They were respectful of past eras, drawing inspiration from lyrical poetry of the Spanish Golden Age (Garcilaso and Quevedo), Romanticism (Bécquer), and contemporary poets like Machado and Juan Ramón Jiménez, as well as Modernism (Rubén Darío). They also achieved a reconciliation between intellectual and sentimental approaches,... Continue reading "Generation of '27: Poets, Works, and Influences" »

Spanish Golden Age Literature

Key Authors and Movements

Francisco de Quevedo (1580-1645)

Born in 1580 and died in Madrid in 1645. He lived in the Paso Real city during a recent era. Quevedo was a versatile poet, writing about love, satire, religion, and metaphysics. He was known for his word games.

Luis de Góngora (1561-1627)

Born in Cordoba (1561-1627). He was a priest and a poet of his era. He skillfully combined popular poetry and erudite wit, using a rich lexicon and syntax, elevating the language of art.

Lope de Vega (1562-1635)

Born in Madrid (1562-1635). He was fortunate in love and was a priest. He wrote many works, including "The New Art of Comedy in this Time," where he created new rules for the theater. Everything Lope starts, Calderón... Continue reading "Understanding Spanish Golden Age Literature: Authors and Styles" »

Analysis of a Poetic Text

Schema Comment:

1. Location: Author, date, and work context.
2. Content Analysis: Itemize and explain concisely.
   • Treatment of the subject (theory).
   • Poetic attitude: cheerful, pessimistic, hopeful tone. Identify adjectives, adverbs, verbs, and nouns, citing verses.
3. Form Analysis:
   • Genus: lyric, narrative, or theater.
   • Metric analysis: syllable count per verse, rhyme schemes, and stanza type. Note if the stanza is typical of the era.
   • Stylistic analysis: literary figures (alliteration, onomatopoeia, paronomasia, hyperbaton, parallelism, anaphora, epiphora, etc.).
4. Conclusions and Critical Opinion: Assess simplicity or complexity, colorfulness (adjectives) or nominal style (nouns). Reflect on period features, cultural movement, and author

Romanticism: A 19th-Century Cultural Movement

Romanticism was a broad cultural movement developed in Europe in the first half of the 19th century. In contrast to Neoclassicism, this art dominated literature during most of the 18th century.

Key Characteristics of Romanticism

• Individualism: A tendency towards subjectivity. The personality could give rise to multiple interpretations and achievements of the romantic spirit.
• Freedom and Rebellion: Against laws, morals, customs, and order.
• Idealism: An aspiration to the spiritual and a defense of ideals (honor, friendship, etc.).
• Irrationalism: Against the rationalism of Neoclassicism, with a predominance of instincts, passions, intelligence, and feelings over reason.
• Exoticism and Evasion: Romantic works

Generation of '27 and Post-War Novel

27. Bourgeois origin university student residence Gongora tribute to literary journals show no rebellion to previous generations, harmonize conflicting elements, sentimental universal Spanish intellectual, innovative traditional, traditional folk ballad poetry songs, golden lion, Fray Luis de Gongora Lope de Vega JJR Unamuno R. Dario Becher poesia Machado pure art Serna greguerias Gasset dehumanisation. The 1st formal perfection 1927 metaphors the 2nd verse and traditional verse political attitude 1927-36 surrealism traditional forms no rhyme or free verse suurrealismo existential issues, 3rd postwar popular forms ominonoso dramatic tone and politicized all but JRJ Salinas and Guillen did not see that well... Continue reading "Spanish Literature: 27 Generation & Post-War Novel" »

Renaissance Lyric Poetry: An Introduction

Renaissance Lyric: First Italian Literary Influences. The works of Garcilaso de la Vega exemplify this period.

Poetic Currents of the Early Renaissance

• Traditional Lyric Ballads: Popular poetry flourished during the 16th century.
• Cancion Traditional: Castilian ballads often dealt with unrequited love.
• Romances: Featured in the Cancionero de Romances.

Educated Lyric in Castilian Verse

• Hernando del Castillo
• The most prominent representative of this trend was Cristóbal de Castillejo, who cultivated octosyllabic verse and opposed Italianate innovations.

Italianate Lyric

Juan Boscán attempted to introduce Italian literary trends into Spanish poetry. Boscán sought help from Garcilaso de la Vega.

Italian Influences:

Shattered Mirror: A Catalan Family Saga

Mirall Trencat (Shattered Mirror) is a play that tells the story of a family across three generations, from the point of view of Sofia, Maria, and Teresa, set in Barcelona.

Teresa Godoy's Ascent

Teresa Godoy is related to the main character. She was single and pregnant when she married Jesus Masdeu. After Jesus' death, Teresa's father arranges her marriage to Nicolau, an older, wealthy man. This marriage elevates her social status.

The Valldaura Legacy

Salvador Valldaura marries Teresa, further increasing her social standing. Salvador purchases a tower where they all live. They have a daughter, Sofia, with Eladi. Sofia marries and continues to live in the tower. Sofia and Eladi have two children, Maria and... Continue reading "Shattered Mirror: A Catalan Family Saga Across Generations" »