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

Notable Spanish Authors and Their Works

Medieval Period

• Gonzalo de Berceo: Miracles of Our Lady
• Alfonso X (the Wise) (1221-1284): General Chronicle, The Great and General History
• Don Juan Manuel (Count) (1282-1348): A Book of the Knight and the Squire

Pre-Renaissance and Renaissance

• Juan de Mena (1411-1456): The Maze of Fortune
• Jorge Manrique (1440-1479): Verses on the Death of His Father
• Juan del Encina (1469-1529): Christmas Eclogue
• Fernando de Rojas (1475-1541): La Celestina (also known as Callisto and Melibea)
• Garcilaso de la Vega (1501-1536): Ode to the Flower of Gnidos

Spanish Golden Age

• Fray Luis de León (1527-1591): Various Poetic and Prose Works
• Fernando de Herrera (1534-1597): Sonnets, Songs, Elegies, Pastorals
• Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547-

The Decline of the Roman Empire

The fall of the Roman Empire, a process of decline, culminated in the fragmentation of the Western Roman Empire in the year 476. For centuries, Rome was the dominant power, its influence extending across the Mediterranean region, from the Rhine and Danube rivers to the Sahara, and from the west of Hispania to Mesopotamia. The rise of Christianity, which would become the official religion, and the vastness of the empire, however, presented significant challenges. Over time, the immense empire suffered a prolonged crisis that led to its eventual demise. The once-mighty empire, exhausted after centuries of expansion and effort, began to show symptoms of decline:

• Corruption among high-ranking officials
• Citizen apathy

Cerverí de Girona's "Malcasada"

This 13th-century Catalan poem, "Malcasada," by the troubadour Cerverí de Girona, reflects a popular lyrical style reminiscent of the Cantigas de Amigo. Cerverí's innovative use of rhyme and meter (7/7/4 syllables with AAB/CCB rhyme scheme) distinguishes his work. The title, added later, doesn't originally belong to the poem. The poem's speaker, a woman, advises against marriage, expressing a preference for her lover. The poem unfolds in three parts:

1. Verses 1-2: Expresses the speaker's lack of love for her husband (senyor).
2. Verses 3-14: Offers advice against marriage.
3. Verses 15-20: The speaker recounts a past encounter with her lover and criticizes her husband.

The poem's parallel structure and simple language... Continue reading "Medieval Catalan and Mallorcan Poetry: A Comparative Analysis" »

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