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

Rubén Darío: Pioneer of Modernism

Born in Nicaragua in 1867, Rubén Darío began writing poetry at a very young age. He traveled extensively and, in 1892, worked as a special reporter. He later returned to Nicaragua and served as a European consul. His three most influential works are:

• Blue (1888): Already contains elements of his unique modernism.
• Profane Prose (1896): Consolidates modern aesthetics.
• Cantos de Vida y Esperanza (1905): Represents a major change, retrieving historical roots.

The Generation of '98: Literary and Ideological Evolution

The Generation of '98 was formed by prominent figures such as Pío Baroja, Miguel de Unamuno, Ramiro de Maeztu, Rubén Darío, and Ramón del Valle-Inclán. Their ideological evolution saw a passage from... Continue reading "Influential Spanish Literary Figures and Movements" »

Baroque Culture in Spain

Patronage and Official Culture: During this period, the monarchy and privileged groups devoted themselves to patronage. Official culture was primarily in the hands of universities and colleges. There were also smaller gatherings in colleges and academies focused on artistic and scientific matters.

However, as most of the population was illiterate, information was transmitted orally and visually. This explains the rise of religious instruction through sermons, images, and festivals. In science, Spain did not experience much progress; only at the end of the 17th century were there some notable movements.

Baroque Festivities

Court festivals were organized to exalt the power of the nobility. Religious festivities included *... Continue reading "Baroque in Spain: Culture, Festivities, and Poetry" »

The Conquest and Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula

In the early second century BC, the territories conquered by Rome occupied the east coast of the peninsula (Hispania Citerior) and the south (Hispania Ulterior). The areas that had been colonized by the Phoenicians and Greeks were accepting the presence of Roman territories, while others were opposed to internal resistance. The Lusitanian leader Viriathus became the symbol of resistance, and this caused many problems for the Roman troops. Numantia fell in 133 BC. In 19 BC, the conquest of the peninsula was completed with the Cantabrian Wars, in which Augustus intervened. During the conquest of the peninsula, Rome did not stop founding new cities, contributing to triple Romanization. Around... Continue reading "Roman Conquest of the Iberian Peninsula & Theseus's Legend" »

The Mester de Juglaría

In the Middle Ages, after traditional lyric poetry, a new form of literature in verse emerged. These works are grouped into two trends, or schools, also called mesteres. The Mester de Juglaría refers to the school of literature in verse where jesters entertained audiences with jokes, juggling, and songs.

Epic Compositions

Epic compositions are narratives that explain events related to war. They are stories in verse characterized by a regular meter and assonant rhyme. These extensive compositions, such as the Cantar de Mio Cid with over 3700 verses, tell the hazañas (deeds) of a major national hero who lived through important events or actions for their people.

Origin

Literary scholars debate whether these epics were the... Continue reading "Medieval Spanish Literature: Minstrelsy and Clergy" »

Generation of '98: A New Novel

The authors of the Generation of '98 rejected nineteenth-century realism, coupled with aesthetic concerns. The works of Azorín, Unamuno, Baroja, and Valle-Inclán represent a break with the realist novel. They were no longer interested in the pure reflection of reality, but rather how this is reflected and permeates personal sensitivity. There is a clear artistic concern, more or less intense as the case may be. This affects not only the style but also the narrative structures.

Azorín

His novels are characterized by a mixing between narrative and essay. Argument loses importance and they become, rather, a gallery of characters and typical environments. His works show existential uneasiness and his vision for Spain.... Continue reading "Generation of '98: Authors and Characteristics" »

Training Text

The training text, now as Funvio Direct, gives orders or advice.

Characteristics

Accuracy, conciseness, and organization. It has a simple structure with two parts: information and instructions, in schematic shape and form of narration.

Adverbs

Words that are invariant accompany and modify the verb, the adjective, or another adverb. They indicate:

• Statement (yes, too)
• Manner (well, so)
• Amount (very little)
• Place (where, are)
• Time (when, present)
• Negation (not)
• Doubt (maybe)

Adverbial Phrases

These are groups of words that perform the same function as adverbs:

• Manner: forcefully, slowly
• Time: sometimes, at any time
• Location: near, above
• Quantity: month to month
• Statement: certainly, really
• Negation: no way
• Doubt: if anything, depending

Coordinated Sentences

• Copulative:

Modernism: Key Poets

Ruben Dario (Nicaragua): Blue, profane prose, songs of visa and esperanza.

Antonio Machado: Solitudes, galleries, other poems, Campos de Castilla.

Valle Inclan: The Pipe of Kif, The Sonatas.

Juan Ramon Jimenez: Arias, Sad Gardens, Distant Sound, Loneliness, Poetry and Magic, Diary of a Newly Married Poet.

Vanguards: Literary Movements in Spain

• Ultraism
• Creationism: Gerardo Diego
• Surrealism: Alberti, Lorca
• Ramon Gomez de la Serna: Greguerías

G-27: Notable Poets

• Pedro Salinas: Reason, Love, Your Voice
• Jorge Guillen: Cantico
• Gerardo Diego: Image, Manuel Foams, Human Verses
• Federico Garcia Lorca: Poema del Cante Flamenco, Gypsy Ballads, Poet in New York
• Damaso Alonso: Hijos de la Ira, Man and God
• Vicente Aleixandre: Swords and Lips, Love,

Key Figures in 20th Century Catalan Literature

Josep Maria de Sagarra

His extensive and varied work, though belonging to the early twentieth century, felt closer to Modernism. Sagarra's career as a poet began with the collections of lyrics and popular songs, "Cançons d'abril i de novembre" (Songs of April and November). Notable works include "El comte Arnau" (Count Arnau), a Christmas poem. As a prolific theatrical author, he penned 37 works, including "L'Hostal de la Glòria" (The Inn of Glory) and "La corona d'espines" (The Crown of Thorns).

Josep Pla i Casadevall

Pla's vast body of work, collected in 44 volumes, is a varied patchwork reflecting the times he lived in. He masterfully employed different genres, including reportage, biography,... Continue reading "20th Century Catalan Literature: Movements and Key Authors" »

Miguel de Unamuno: San Manuel Bueno, Mártir

Born in Bilbao in 1864, Miguel de Unamuno obtained a professorship and became rector of the University of Salamanca. He was dismissed for political reasons, opposed to the military. He was arrested at his home and died in Salamanca in 1936. Unamuno was one of the most prestigious intellectuals in and outside of Spain. A man of battles and deep religious convictions, Unamuno has a varied literary production: essays, novels, poetry, and drama. However, he excels in his essayistic work.

Unamuno's novels are a projection of his personal problems and concerns. Highlights include:

• Abel Sánchez, which addresses the fratricide between two friends.
• La Tía Tula, about motherhood.
• San Manuel Bueno, Mártir, where

15th Century: Transition to the Renaissance

During this period, two types of works are prominent: the romance and cancionero poetry, reflecting the medieval heritage.

The Ballad

The ballad is a collection of romances (narrative poems):

• They consist of eight-syllable verses, rhyming assonance in pairs.
• Its origin lies in the evolution of the meter of epic poems, having a traditional character:
  • They are born from an epic, legend, historical event, or the result of fantasy.
  • They are recited from memory, orally.
  • They are anonymous poems.
• Besides the epic romance, we find romances on Moorish subjects, the Matter of Britain, lyrical, etc.

Cancionero Poetry

Cancionero poetry is named after its musical character. It was composed to be sung at court, and it is... Continue reading "15th Century Literature: Transition to the Renaissance in Spain" »