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

Modernism

Modernism, a poetic movement, was introduced by Rubén Darío, heavily influenced by the French Symbolists, including Verlaine and Mallarmé.

Rubén Darío came to Spain as an American delegate during the Colombian centenary celebrations. By this time, he had achieved success with his poetry collection, Azul. After living in Paris, where he was influenced by symbolist writers, he adapted their styles to Castilian. He wrote Prosas Profanas. Upon his return to Spain in 1899, he was already considered a master by young Spanish writers, who were captivated by the magical sound of his verse.

Rubén Darío sparked a genuine renewal in Spanish literature, incorporating symbolic forms, contrasting with the realistic art of the Restoration writers,... Continue reading "Spanish Modernism: Literary Movements and Influences" »

Spanish Golden Age Novels

The Idealistic Novel: The most abundant during the Renaissance, it tells the story of heroes in unrecognizable landscapes and among idealized people.

The Byzantine Novel: Also known as a novel of adventures. It recounts adventures that take place during a typical journey, often involving travel by boat to discover small islands and exotic landscapes. This novel represents a journey where a young protagonist must deal with multiple disabilities and handicaps. Key themes include pirates, storms, islands, and abduction.

The Pastoral Novel: Constitutes a journey where characters travel in search of happiness. Two types of actions are distinguished: one internal and slow, and another made up of stories of past shepherds. The... Continue reading "Spanish Golden Age Novels: Types and Key Examples" »

Garcilaso de la Vega: A Renaissance Poet

Early Life and Influences

Garcilaso de la Vega, born in Toledo in 1501, was the quintessential Renaissance man, skilled in both arms and letters. He married Doña Elena de Zúñiga. However, his encounter with Isabel Freyre ignited a passionate and inspiring love that would deeply influence his poetry. This love was unrequited, as Isabel married another man and tragically died young in childbirth. Garcilaso's travels to Italy exposed him to the new poetic styles of the time, further shaping his work.

Poetic Evolution

Garcilaso's poetic journey can be divided into three stages:

• Traditional Cancionero Poetry: Initially, Garcilaso cultivated a traditional style of poetry known as "cancionero".
• Petrarchan Influences:

Classical Deities and Attributes

Zeus / Jupiter:

sovereignty over all the universe. Crown, Eagle, ray, scepter.

Poseidon / Neptune:

sovereignty over the waters. Crown, trident, chariot and hippocampus, newts, trident, dolphin.

Hera / Juno:

Queen of Olympus, protector of marriage and parties. Crown, scepter, peacock, pomegranate.

Hades / Pluto:

sovereignty over the subterranean world. Chariot + black horses, ivory throne, scepter, horn of abundance.

Demeter / Ceres:

protector of agriculture. Ear of wheat, sickle, torch.

Athena / Minerva:

protector of intelligence, some arts (philosophy, literature, and crafts) and war (for justice). Helmet, spear, Aegis, armor, owl, olive, winged victory.

Hestia / Vesta:

protector of the family, home, and State. Flame of

Spanish Theater Before 1936: Trends, Authors, and Key Works

In the late nineteenth century, European theater was dominated by naturalism, focusing on reflecting human problems and analyzing character psychology. The breakdown of these conventions marked the development of European theater. Various art movements, particularly Dada and Surrealism, sought a complete break with traditional theater. The text became less important, and the viewer was expected to actively participate in the work. Techniques from cabaret, silent film, and puppet theater were incorporated, and stages were moved to unconventional locations like factories and churches.

Benaventino Comedy

Commercial theater saw the triumph of Benaventino Comedy. Jacinto Benavente was the... Continue reading "Spanish Theater: Trends, Authors, and Works Before 1936" »

Modernism: A Late 19th Century Literary Movement

Modernism emerged at the end of the 19th century in Europe and America. It encompassed renovating currents opposed to the aesthetics and attitudes of realism. Modernism, a stream of artistic and literary renewal, developed in the late 19th century, representing a break with the aesthetics of realism. It received influences from French movements in the second half of the 19th century:

• Parnassianism: Striving for formal perfection (art for art's sake), disregarding feelings, and focusing on beauty.
• Symbolism: Seeking meaning in reality through the use of symbols.

Modernism is considered to have begun with the publication of Azul by Ruben Dario in 1888. Other notable authors include Francisco Villaespesa,... Continue reading "Modernism and the Generation of '98: Literary Movements in Spain" »

Celestite

Authorship

Attributed primarily to Fernando de Rojas, with Act I possibly by Rodrigo de Cota. Initially 16 acts, later expanded to 21.

Editions

• 1^st Edition (1499-1500): Untitled, also known as Comedia de Melibea. Contains 16 acts and annotations, including an acrostic verse prologue.
• 2^nd Edition (1502): Tragicomedia de Calisto y Melibea, with 21 acts.
• 3^rd Edition: Mid-16^th century, titled La Celestina.

Genre

Debated between:

• a) Play: Division into acts, absence of a narrator, action driven by dialogue, specific time and place setting.
• b) Dialogue Novel: Length and complexity make it difficult to stage.

Structure

• Act I: Introduction to the action.
• Acts II-XII: Development of conflict between characters.
• Acts XIII-XX: Development of Calisto and Melibea'

Renaissance Literature in Spain

The Renaissance

The Renaissance, the historical period following the Middle Ages, originated in Italy and spread throughout Europe. This era exalted earthly life and embraced vitalism, epitomized by the phrase carpe diem. Knowledge became a means of human improvement, giving rise to humanism. Renaissance values, particularly among the bourgeoisie, were disseminated through the printing press. The Renaissance individual sought direct communication.

Renaissance Poetry

Garcilaso de la Vega

Garcilaso de la Vega's small body of work (38 sonnets and 3 eclogues) focuses almost exclusively on love. To express his feelings, he often employs classical mythology and the literary motif of the locus amoenus. Garcilaso introduced... Continue reading "Spanish Renaissance Literature: Poets and Prose" »

The Greek Epic

Epic poetry sang the deeds of heroes, stories that occurred in a legendary past. It was transmitted orally from mouth to mouth, which also determined how to compose the introductory verses. With the alphabet, poets began to write what was transmitted orally. These exploits seem to have some historical background.

Within Greek epic literature, the work of two great authors stands out: Homer and Hesiod (8th - 7th century BC).

Homer

It was said that Homer was a poet who recited his poems and was represented as blind. His existence is wrapped up in legend. It seems that he lived in the late 8th century BC and was from Chios. He is the author of the first works of Greek literature that we have preserved: the Iliad and the Odyssey.

The