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

The Art of Eloquence: Rhetoric and Public Speaking in Ancient Rome

The art of eloquence, or public speaking, is necessary in all societies. There will always be an occasion where one has to lead an audience, to convince them, or to express joy, sorrow, or pain. In Roman society, with its political assemblies and courts, mastery of the word was essential for young people of good standing who would engage in politics. It is not always the one who is right who convinces, but the one who best defends his 'reason.' For this, the technique, i.e., Rhetoric, is necessary.

Understanding Rhetoric: The Art of Speaking Well

Rhetoric is a set of procedures for speaking well. This skill was learned in schools of rhetoric. As the art of speech, it was applied... Continue reading "Mastering Public Speaking: Roman Rhetoric and Cicero's Legacy" »

The Trial of Paris

Aphrodite appears alongside Hera and Athena. Two cherubs accompany her. Eris, angered by not being invited to a wedding, sows discord among the guests. Zeus decides to let Paris, a young Trojan prince, choose the most beautiful goddess. Hermes, the messenger god, presents Paris with the apple of discord.

Perseus and Andromeda

Perseus and his mother, Danae, are saved and find refuge in a kingdom. The king desires Danae, but Perseus, aided by Athena and Hermes, defeats the king. On his journey, Perseus rescues Andromeda from a monstrous dragon. The two cherubs symbolize their love. Upon returning, Perseus uses Medusa's head to turn the king to stone. He then founds Mycenae.

Diana and Callisto

Callisto, a nymph, becomes pregnant... Continue reading "Mythological Tales: Paris, Perseus, Diana, and Vulcan" »

Poetic Reflections: "I Am Burning"

Subject: The Ineffable in Poetry and Women

This analysis delves into reflections on poetry, asserting its independent existence before the poet. Its primary source is identified as the woman, who embodies feeling and, by extension, poetry itself. The text questions how poetry can express love, acknowledging the inherent insufficiency of language.

Summary: The Elusive Ideal Woman

The core theme revolves around the pursuit of the desired ideal woman, who, the analysis suggests, exists only within the dreams of the poetic ideal. This ideal of love and poetic aspiration often binds and confuses women.

Structure: Archetypes of Feminine Beauty

The poet's work, through its rhyme scheme, presents different models of feminine... Continue reading "Poetic Reflections on Love and the Ideal Woman" »

Postmodern Thought and Its Characteristics

Postmodern thought is characterized by its rejection of ideologies, aesthetic theories, and schools. It practices different languages and mixes disciplines. It defends popular culture, the conception of the artwork as an object of mass communication, and the hybridization of styles. Postmodern thinking is reflected in everything from the taste for the fusion of genres. It is also unusual that the author plays with references known to the reader to build surprising texts. The relativism of thought favors the use of resources such as humor and irony.

Contemporary Spanish Literature (Since 1975)

Literature since 1975 presents a predominant feature: the attempt to regain the reader after the experimentalist... Continue reading "Postmodernism and Contemporary Spanish Arts" »

This compilation highlights significant literary works and authors from Hispanoamérica (Latin America) during the 20th century, showcasing a diverse range of styles, themes, and genres.

Horacio Quiroga: Macabre and Morbid Tales

Horacio Quiroga, known for his tragic life, produced works full of macabre and morbid themes. His notable contributions include:

• Los arrecifes de coral (The Coral Reefs)
• Otro crimen (Another Crime)
• Historia de un amor turbio (Story of a Shadowy Love)
• El último amor (The Last Love)
• Cuentos de amor de locura y de muerte (Tales of Love, Madness, and Death)
• Salvaje (Savage)
• Cuentos de la selva (Tales of the Jungle)
• Anaconda
• Los desterrados (The Exiles)
• El desierto (The Desert)
• Más allá (Beyond)

Eustasio José Rivera: Colombian Literary

Mester de Juglaría

From the 11th to the 15th century, the characteristics of this school were its popular character, real or historical themes, irregular meter, and the use of formulas to attract the public. Minstrels performed in squares, towns, and castles, wearing a jacket and reciting heroic poems.

In Spain, the most important epic poem is the Poema del Cid, written around 1140 and attributed to two minstrels. It is divided into three parts:

• Cantar del destierro (Song of Exile): El Cid is exiled by Alfonso VI. He struggles against the Moors and sends presents to the king to seek forgiveness.
• Cantar de las bodas (Song of the Weddings): El Cid conquers Valencia. The loot he sends to the king attracts the attention of the Infantes de Carrión,

Key Poets of the Generation of '27

Rafael Alberti: Neotraditional Poet

Rafael Alberti is a poet best representing the neotraditional line, inspired by traditional sources such as cancionero ballads and lyrics. His poetry was often politically compromised, and he was exiled after the Spanish Civil War. A notable work is Marinero en Tierra (A Sailor on Shore, 1925).

Pedro Salinas: The Poet of Love

Pedro Salinas was a prominent love poet. His work shows an evolution of pure poetry, characterized by a cutting-edge, personal, and intimate style. He reflected on life's mysteries, particularly love. Key works include: La Voz a Ti Debida (Love You Voice Due, 1933), Razón de Amor (Because of Love, 1936), and Largo Lamento (Long Lament, 1939), which reflects... Continue reading "Spanish Literary Masters: Generation of '27 & Early 20th Century Theater" »

History as a Literary Genre

The Greek word "history" means investigation of facts. Greeks interpreted it as a narrative of true events. However, in early Rome, a high degree of patriotism prevented historians from sticking to the facts of the matter. Roman historiography has a moralizing character, emphasizing the mores maiorum, the customs inherited from ancestors. Cicero considered history IUF Magistra. In Cicero's opinion, history was oratorium maxime opus, the maximum expression of oratory skill.

Origins of Roman Historiography

The Annales Pontificum were notes taken by the Pontifex Maximus on a white table called an album to commemorate events worthy of remembrance. Later, the term Annales was used for accounts of events prior to the historian'... Continue reading "Roman Historiography: From Origins to the Republic" »

Romanticism and the Rise of Liberal Society

The late 18th century saw the rise of liberalism. The ancien régime was replaced by liberal society, and the aristocracy gradually ceded power to the bourgeoisie, a process accelerated by the fall of Napoleon. The Industrial Revolution further fueled these changes. Revolutionary waves occurred in 1820, 1830, and 1848, each time reinforcing liberal ideals. In Spain, after the death of Ferdinand VII, industrialization and urbanization were still in their early stages within a predominantly rural society.

Nationalism's Influence on Romanticism

Nationalism, the right of peoples to constitute themselves as nations, had two main aspects: an inspiration drawn from liberal and democratic ideals, and a conservative,... Continue reading "Romanticism in Spain: Literature, Society, and Key Authors" »

Tarraco: Rome's Strategic Hub in Hispania

The Punic Wars and Roman Arrival

In 218 BC, Hannibal conquered Saguntum, a town allied to Rome, violating the Ebro Treaty. This act ignited the Second Punic War. While Hannibal marched towards Italy, Rome surprisingly dispatched an army under Publius Cornelius Scipio to Hispania, aiming to disrupt Carthaginian supply lines. The Roman army landed in Empúries and advanced against the Carthaginian base. Subsequently, Rome established a winter camp at what would become Tarraco.

The Punic War on Hispanic soil lasted 12 years, during which Tarraco, serving as a vital military camp, experienced continuous activity. For Rome, Tarraco became the primary headquarters on the Iberian Peninsula. In 217 BC, a second... Continue reading "Tarraco: Roman Power and Legacy in Ancient Hispania" »