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

Medieval Period (476-1492)

The Medieval Period, extending from 476 to 1492, was marked by the Arab presence (711-1492) and diverse religious influences.

Features of Medieval Literature

• Oral Transmission: Transmitting stories through singing or recitation.
• Anonymity: Most works were anonymous.
• Didacticism: Literature often had a didactic function.

Traditional Lyric Poetry

Early medieval lyrical manifestations included ditties sung by people on holidays.

The Jarchas

Written in Mozarabic (11th century), these were brief lyrical compositions of 2-4 verses. Arab and Jewish poets of the peninsula included them at the end of poems written in Hebrew or Arabic. The theme was often a woman's lament to her lover.

The Cantigas de Amigo

Galician-Portuguese poets (... Continue reading "Medieval Spanish Literature: Characteristics, Works, and Authors" »

The Generation of 98

The Generation of 98 refers to the year of disaster for the loss of the last colonies (Cuba and the Philippines). The style is sober and expressive, while the baths are a concern for Spain, with sensitivity and emotion against the landscape.

Antonio Machado

Solitudes, Galleries and Other Poems (themes: time, man, love, death, and God), Campos de Castilla (land of Soria), New Songs (proverbs and songs). During the civil war: Death of the Wounded Child, The Crime Was in Granada (death of Garcia Lorca), Madrid, Madrid!, How Well Your Name Sounds!

Miguel de Unamuno (Essayist)

Poetry

Lyrical sonnets, Rosario, El Cristo de Velazquez, From Fuerteventura to Paris, ballads and songs of exile (poetic).

Novels

Fog, Love and Pedagogy, Peace

Generation of '27: A Poetic Fusion

Balancing Tradition and Innovation

The Generation of '27 achieved a unique equilibrium, blending avant-garde experimentation with established traditions. This fusion encompassed:

• Traditional and popular lyricism
• Classical influences, reflected in the pursuit of formal perfection
• Romantic influences, apparent in the immediacy of emotion
• Influence of Juan Ramón Jiménez's pure poetry
• Elements of avant-garde movements

Key figures who influenced this generation include Juan Ramón Jiménez, José Ortega y Gasset, and Ramón Gómez de la Serna. Stylistically, their poetic creation often involved associating poetry with unconventional subjects, exploring a diverse range of themes, both traditional and modern.

Key Poets

Realism in Spanish Literature

Realism, a dominant literary movement in the second half of the 19th century, primarily in Europe, sought to depict life authentically. Its narratives often drew from everyday customs, portraying reality with meticulous detail. Narrative became the definitive literary form, perhaps overshadowing theater in prominence.

Key Characteristics of Realism

• Focus on Everyday Life: Pervades the common person's experiences and daily routines.
• Descriptive Style: Employs a varied and detailed writing style.
• Complex Characters: Features well-characterized, complex, and realistic individuals.
• Central Theme: Explores the conflict between individual dreams, thoughts, and the harsh realities of life.
• Intimate Life: Integrates the intimate

Western Varieties

Morphological Features

• -s plurals.
• 1st person singular present indicative ending in -es or no ending.
• Present tense of inchoative verbs ending in -ix.
• Present subjunctive of inchoative verbs ending in -isca.

Phonetic Features

• Pronounced differentiation between unstressed e, a, and i.
• Pronounced differentiation between unstressed o and u.

Specific Lexicon

• Mirror
• Boy
• Red
• Depart
• Farmer
• Lamb

Oriental Varieties

Morphological Traits

• -s plurals.
• 1st person singular present indicative ending in -o or no ending.
• Present tense of inchoative verbs ending in -eix.

Phonetic Features

• No distinction between unstressed e, a, and i.
• No differentiation between unstressed o and u.

Specific Lexicon

• Mirror
• Boy
• Red
• Out
• Pages
• Lamb

Geographic Distribution of Oriental Varieties

• Roussillon
• Central

The Generation of '27: A Literary Movement

The Generation of '27 was a prominent group of Spanish poets and writers who emerged in the 1920s. The group's name commemorates the tercentenary of the death of Baroque poet Luis de Góngora, an event that led to the publication of his works and the organization of cultural events, fostering a shared identity among these young artists.

Key Poets of the Generation of '27

• Gerardo Diego
• Jorge Guillén
• Dámaso Alonso
• Pedro Salinas
• Federico García Lorca
• Rafael Alberti
• Luis Cernuda
• Vicente Aleixandre
• Manuel Altolaguirre
• Emilio Prados

Defining Features of the Group

• A blend of tradition and avant-garde styles.
• Strong influence from classical poets, particularly Luis de Góngora.
• Embrace of pure poetry, emphasizing aesthetic

Medieval Spanish Prose

Prose Development in the Middle Ages

Latin was initially favored for written expression. However, Castilian steadily gained recognition for literary and scholarly works. Alfonso X and Don Juan Manuel in the 14th century solidified Castilian's role as a versatile language for diverse content.

The Prose of Alfonso X the Wise (13th Century)

Amidst the Reconquista, Alfonso X, though sometimes criticized for his limited military involvement, is recognized for his cultural contributions. He championed the arts and sciences, notably translating and adapting Arabic and Hebrew works. One of Alfonso X's key achievements was establishing Castilian as the official language and fostering the Toledo School of Translators. This ensured... Continue reading "Medieval Spanish Prose: From Alfonso X to Don Juan Manuel" »

Spanish Renaissance Lyric Poetry: Forms and Themes

Formal Aspects of Renaissance Lyric

• Poetic Forms: Hendecasyllable, Tercets (chained), Lira (lyre stanza), Ottava Rima, Sonnet, Sapphic Stanza.
• Style and Resources: Emphasis on simplicity and naturalness, rich use of adjectives, epithets, metaphors, and hyperbaton.

Key Topics in Renaissance Lyric

• Imitation of classical authors like Virgil and Horace.
• Courtly love and reasons for pain.
• Beauty canon responding to the Renaissance woman ideal.
• Latin topoi: Carpe Diem (seize the day), Beatus Ille (blessed is he), Locus Amoenus (pleasant place).
• Introspection and spiritual reflection.

Garcilaso de la Vega: Pioneer of Spanish Lyric

Major Works and Influence

Garcilaso's Petrarchan lyrical poetry, particularly his... Continue reading "Spanish Golden Age Literature: Authors, Forms, and Masterpieces" »

Baroque Poetry: Themes and Innovations

Baroque poetry presents a variety of themes and issues, with innovations and an intensification of Renaissance expressive resources.

Topics and Trends

• Romantic Poetry: Retrieves the Petrarchan model (description of female beauty, frustrated love, mythology).
• Philosophical and Moral Poetry: Addresses disappointment, the brevity and transience of life, the concept of death, the censure of vices, and the pursuit of virtue.
• Religious Poetry: Includes spiritual reflection, repentance, and commemorative poetry.
• Burlesque Poetry: Abounds in parody and humor, even ridicule and personal attacks.

Formal Aspects

• Metrical: Poems and verses less Italianate.
• Style: Elaborate poetic language, extreme acuity, the concept (metaphor,

Types of Coordinated Propositions

Coordination

Copulative: y, e, ni

Disjunctive: o, u

Distributive: one...another, bien...bien

Adversative

Restrictive/Partial: but, however, most, but nonetheless, although

Exclusive/Full: but, before bien

Explanatory

that is, what's more, for example

Pronouns and Their Values

Personal: Buy a book for Martha

Reflexive: Shaves

Reciprocal: Pedro and I look at frames

Interest: Laura, take one

Language Types and Characteristics

Administrative Language

Used in public and citizen-facing documents. Examples: analysis, curriculum, resource management, circulars.

Legal Language

Governs citizen relations. Examples: laws, proclamations, decrees, lawsuits, judgments, edicts.

Scientific Language

Communicates research results. Features explanatory... Continue reading "Coordinated, Disjunctive, and Adversative Propositions in Language" »