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

Shattered Mirror: A Catalan Family Saga

Mirall Trencat (Shattered Mirror) is a play that tells the story of a family across three generations, from the point of view of Sofia, Maria, and Teresa, set in Barcelona.

Teresa Godoy's Ascent

Teresa Godoy is related to the main character. She was single and pregnant when she married Jesus Masdeu. After Jesus' death, Teresa's father arranges her marriage to Nicolau, an older, wealthy man. This marriage elevates her social status.

The Valldaura Legacy

Salvador Valldaura marries Teresa, further increasing her social standing. Salvador purchases a tower where they all live. They have a daughter, Sofia, with Eladi. Sofia marries and continues to live in the tower. Sofia and Eladi have two children, Maria and... Continue reading "Shattered Mirror: A Catalan Family Saga Across Generations" »

The Breakup of Yugoslavia: Causes and Conflicts

The late 1980s marked the beginning of a profound economic crisis which provided momentum for opening the external market. This period saw primary disagreements emerge:

• Between the richer republics (Croatia and Slovenia), where the restoration of capitalism was favored, and the most underdeveloped regions.
• Among the distinct ethnic and religious groups that made up the centralist country.
• Between the aspirations of Serbia and Montenegro and the rest of the territories, supporters of increasing their self-governance.

The Communist leaders embarked on a nationalist race headed by Milošević in Serbia and Tuđman in Croatia. In 1990, the first democratic elections were held.

The Yugoslav Wars

War in Slovenia

First Declension (Type: *terra, -ae*)

The first declension primarily includes feminine nouns. Here is the declension pattern:

• Singular:
  • Nominative: -a
  • Vocative: -a
  • Accusative: -am
  • Genitive: -ae
  • Dative: -ae
  • Ablative: -ā
• Plural:
  • Nominative: -ae
  • Vocative: -ae
  • Accusative: -as
  • Genitive: -arum
  • Dative: -is
  • Ablative: -is

Second Declension

Masculine (Type: *dominus, -i*)

Most second declension nouns ending in -us are masculine.

• Singular:
  • Nominative: -us
  • Vocative: -e
  • Accusative: -um
  • Genitive: -i
  • Dative: -o
  • Ablative: -o
• Plural:
  • Nominative: -i
  • Vocative: -i
  • Accusative: -os
  • Genitive: -orum
  • Dative: -is
  • Ablative: -is

Masculine (Type: *puer, pueri*)

Some second declension nouns ending in -er are also masculine. Note that the stem remains consistent (e.g., *puer*).

• Singular:
  • Nominative: puer
  • Vocative:

Miguel Delibes

Style: Simplicity and clarity of expression.

Themes: Rural environments and characters without resources. The elderly and children represent true wisdom, expressing opinions about the world's shortcomings.

Novel Stages:

• Social Realism: The Road
• Experimentalism: Five Hours with Mario
• Historical Novel: The Heretic
• Other titles: Rats, The Holy Innocents

Adaptations: Many works successfully adapted for film and theater, demonstrating thematic appeal.

Post-war Theater (1940s)

Two main trends:

• Ideological drama
• Comedy, originating from pre-war authors

Comedy Styles:

• High comedy: Restrained, elegant, featuring upper classes
• Farce: Spontaneous, reflecting customs of the masses

Key Author: Jacinto Benavente

Theater of the 1950s

Significant changes in both... Continue reading "Evolution of Spanish Theater: Post-war to Democracy" »

In 45 BC, returning to Italy, Octavian was declared Caesar's heir.

Return to Italy and Early Honors

Games were held in April in honor of Caesar. Caesar, dressed in ceremonial attire, was honored with symbols of victory: purple robes (recalling the old kings of Rome) and a laurel crown. He was awarded the title of Imperator by right. His ivory statue was featured in religious processions. In a temple of Quirinus, a statue of Caesar was placed with the inscription 'Invincible God'. Quirinus, or Romulus, was the first king and founder of the city. Thus, Caesar was not only linked to God but also to the kings. On the Capitoline Hill, statues of ancient figures, including Lucius Junius Brutus and Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (the king who was expelled)... Continue reading "Julius Caesar: Honors, Reforms, and Power" »

Joan Maragall (1860-1911) Modernism

Family of industrial textile workers.

• 1890 - Rehearsed and proclaimed his articles in the Diari de Barcelona.
• 1891 - Noble house with clear, vitalism (Nietzsche).

Bonaventura Carles Aribau (1789-1862) Renaissance

He lived for many years in Madrid.

• 1833 - Published Oda a la pàtria in the romantic magazine El Vapor.
• Transmitted in the poem his nostalgia towards his homeland.

Miquel Costa i Llobera (1854-1922) Modernism

Considered one of the main figures of the Majorcan School.

• 1906 - Gave a speech as president of the Jocs Florals of Barcelona.
• 1904 - President of the Jocs Florals in Majorca.

Joan Alcover (1854-1926) Modernism

Poet, essayist, and politician.

• 1909 - Proclaimed Master of the Gay Saber.
• 1951 - A volume of his

Origins of Spanish Epic Poetry

Spanish Epic Poetry originated from cantares de gesta, which recount the exploits of the greatest medieval heroes. Its main characteristic is oral tradition. Many of these important works have unfortunately disappeared.

These poems were spread by juglares (minstrels). The cantares de gesta present the following characteristics:

• They are anonymous poems.
• They were widely circulated, often in irregular series, maintaining a consistent assonance or rhyme scheme, which could vary with different versions due to oral transmission.
• The lines are long (between 10 and 16 irregular syllables), with assonance rhyme, divided into two hemistichs.
• They were destined to be recited and sung.

These works are more like sung poems, recounting... Continue reading "Spanish Epic Poetry: The Legacy of Cantar de Mio Cid" »

Spanish Poetry: From Surrealism to the 1970s

Gabriel Celaya

Gabriel Celaya's surrealist poetry led to existential, social, and avant-garde works. Key themes include:

• Insecurity of the individual seeking their place in the world.
• Existential poetry characterized by a simple and colloquial tone.
• Ethical commitment.
• Merging with the poetic 'we'.
• Literature as a fight for social solidarity.
• 1960s poetry that was avant-garde and moved away from sentimentality.
• The failure of Marxist humanism.

Blas de Otero

Blas de Otero's poetry aimed to shake consciences through existentialism and social commentary. He began with religious poetry (Angel Fieramente Humano), expressing anguish and death. His confrontation with God led to a search that ended in empty loneliness.... Continue reading "Spanish Poetry: From Surrealism to the 1970s" »

The Evolution of Contemporary Galician Narrative

The change in the political system towards democracy had significant repercussions on the literary system in Galicia. This period saw the rise of literary prizes, the emergence of robust literary criticism, increased professionalization within the sector, and a significant growth in the number of readers and authors.

Key Features of Present-Day Galician Narrative

Contemporary Galician narrative exhibits several distinct characteristics:

• Diverse registers and a wide range of possibilities.
• A preferential interest in the novel as a form.
• The widespread use of direct and accessible prose.

Dominant Themes and Literary Genres

Themes often focus on daily occurrences and contemporary life. Key literary genres... Continue reading "Contemporary Galician Literature: Narrative, Authors, and Genres" »

Latin Personal and Possessive Pronouns

First Person Pronouns (Ego, Nos)

Note: mēcum = with me; nōbīscum = with us.

Second Person Pronouns (Tu, Vos)