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

Myths, Legends, and Epic Narratives

The Enduring Power of Storytelling

The origins of myths and legends, passed down through generations via storytelling, are often difficult to determine. Different versions of these narratives gradually formed over time.

Defining Epic Poems

Epic narrative poems are extensive, often anonymous works that recount events in a real or imaginary place in a distant past. They typically represent the collective feelings or identity of a people or nation.

Key Figures in Latin American Literature

Early Literary Trends

• Bonalde's literary trend is primarily poetry.
• Eduardo Blanco, a heroic author, hails from Venezuela.

Criollismo: A Defining Latin American Literary Movement

What is Criollismo?

Criollismo is a significant literary... Continue reading "Criollismo: Latin American Literary Movement and Its Roots" »

Miguel de Unamuno: Key Themes and Works

Two fundamental issues define Miguel de Unamuno's work: the issue of Spanish identity and the existential characteristics associated with the Generation of '98.

The first theme is reflected in the early work, About Traditionalism (1895), which addresses the issues of '98, the valuation of Castile, the Spanish and European context, and the idea of intrahistoria (the history of the anonymous, daily man).

Unamuno later focused on profound existential questions, often expressed through the following contradictions:

• Death / Immortality
• Reason / Faith
• Science / Religion
• Nothingness (*Nada*) / Eternity

It has been noted that the only key character in his works is often Unamuno himself, projecting his ideas, feelings,... Continue reading "Miguel de Unamuno and the Generation of '98: Literary Renewal and Existential Conflict" »

Key Figures in Catalan Modernism and Realism

Joan Maragall (1860-1911): Modernist Poetry and Commitment

Joan Maragall (1860-1911) was one of the most representative writers of Catalan Modernism. His work brings together two distinct attitudes of modernist artists:

• The Aesthetic Attitude: Expressed in the poetic contemplation of nature.
• The Regenerationist Attitude: Expressed in the vitality of his poetry and social commitment found in his articles.

Catalan Modernism (1892-1911)

Modernism (1892-1911) was a movement of cultural renewal in response to the need to transform Catalan culture into a modern, national, and European culture. It aimed to ensure that art was present in all artistic fields. It is a cultural movement of a romantic character produced... Continue reading "Catalan Literary Masters: Maragall, Oller, and Víctor Català" »

Source of Modernism

Source of Modernism has been said that Modernism is the expression of the cultural and ideological crisis of the century that occurs on both sides of the Atlantic. The political and social situation in which writers live immerses them in circumstances with which they express their disagreement and rebellion, and in some cases (the Cuban José Martí) leads to political activism. In this malaise, fatigue joins artistic forms produced by the Realist movement—an eminently bourgeois movement—and the need to find a new style, more poetic and refined, that allows creative release and the rebellious spirit of the artist. American authors also perceived the need for ideological and aesthetic renewal in Spain and other places,... Continue reading "Origins of Modernism in Hispanic American Poetry" »

The 15th Century: Cultural Transformation and Humanism

The 15th century marked a significant time of change. Culture became a sign of distinction, differentiating nobles from the bourgeoisie. Centers of learning shifted toward courts and universities, which replaced monasteries.

The Rise of Humanism

Humanism, a movement originating in Italy, championed the classical culture of Greece and Rome.

Pre-Renaissance Literary Sources and Influences

The Humanist movement led to the recovery of Greco-Roman literature. Several authors' works became models for imitation:

• Boccaccio and Petrarch: Italian short story writers and poets. Petrarch's songs influenced Renaissance poetry, while Boccaccio's Decameron is a key medieval work.
• Dante Alighieri: His Divine

The Generation of '27: Literary Innovation and Synthesis

In the 1920s, this exceptional group of poets lived in a common cultural context.

Defining Characteristics of the Generation of '27

• Poets born around 1898.
• Strong fellowship and friendship among members.
• Significant influence and cultural exchanges.

Vanguard and Tradition: A True Synthesis

With their cosmopolitanism and openness to contributions coming from Europe and America, the poets of '27 valued and rescued past authors and styles, creating a true synthesis of vanguard and tradition.

They rescued forms of traditional Spanish literary past, known as neopopularismo. They paid special attention to the poetry of the Golden Age, especially Góngora.

The stay of many of them in European countries... Continue reading "The Generation of '27: Spanish Literary Innovation and Synthesis" »

Style, Language, and Literary Devices

The style of the work is characterized by simplicity, sobriety, and expressiveness of its language. The narrative structure masterfully combines narrative with description and dialogue.

Epic Procedures Used in the Poem

The poem utilizes common epic procedures, including:

• Appeals to the Audience: Expressions that demand the public's attention and connect them closely to the story (e.g., “You shall hear what happened”).
• Epic Epithets: Used to characterize the main figures (e.g., “El Cid, who in good hour cinxo sword,” or “the venerable bearded one”).
• Minstrel Assessments: Direct evaluations by the narrator about characters or situations (e.g., “God, how beautiful!”).
• Descriptive Lists.

Compared to... Continue reading "Literary Analysis of El Cantar de Mio Cid: Style, Themes, and Structure" »

Ancient Greek Poleis: A Reflection

The Greek poleis, or city-states, emerged as a new civilization rooted in trade and the adoption of the alphabet. These small, independent entities, unlike the larger Phoenician city-states, numbered around 200 in Greece, compared to the 10-15 in Phoenicia. Commerce was central to their existence. Around 1000-900 BC, these cities thrived in the eastern Mediterranean, encompassing Greece, Turkey (Ionia), Lebanon, and Israel. They dominated Mediterranean trade, mastering navigation and extending their reach to North Africa and the Atlantic. Cities like Siron and Tire (Phoenician) were known for their excellent ports. Unlike Egypt and Mesopotamia, where agriculture was the primary source of wealth, the Phoenicians... Continue reading "Ancient Greek Poleis and Roman Republic: Trade, Governance, and Conflict" »

The Novel from the 1960s

During the 1960s, social realism declined, gradually replaced by new modes of expression, structures, language, and style.

Literary works tended to search in memory, explore personal experience, and reflect states of consciousness. A pivotal year was 1962, with the publication of "Time of Silence" by Luis Martin Santos, which influenced the novelists of the time.

Important influences also included Proust, Joyce, Kafka, and Faulkner.

Characteristics of the Experimental Novel of the 1960s:

• The argument becomes less important; the action is minimal; plausible events are mixed with imaginary or fantastic ones. The story takes precedence.
• The characters undergo profound transformations. For example, the number of secondary characters

Socio-Cultural Context of 19th-Century Spain

In 19th-century Europe, the bourgeoisie consolidated as the dominant social class, often leaning towards conservative positions. Trade and industry experienced strong growth, leading to the emergence of the urban proletariat. Clashes between workers and the bourgeoisie were constant in the second half of the century. This era also saw the rise of positivism, a philosophy arguing that knowledge must be based on empirical data and observation.

Realism in Literature

The term realism is used in art and literature to designate works that attempt to imitate or accurately depict reality. The primary genre of realism is the novel. Realist writers often viewed the novel as "a mirror along the way," basing their... Continue reading "19th-Century Spanish Literature: Realism and Naturalism" »