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

Authors and Works of the 16th Century

Peter Seraph: Poet and painter, his date of birth is unknown, and it is known he died around 1566. His poetry still presents points of contact with March. However, he used proper poetic forms of the Renaissance, such as the sonnet, and he cites poets of Greek and Latin classics (Homer, Virgil, and Ovid) and two Italian dolce stil nuovo poets (Dante and Petrarch) plus March. He also wrote in Catalan.

18th Century Authors

Francesc Vicent Garcia: He is considered one of the most outstanding authors of three centuries. Known as the Rector of Vallfogona, he was born in Tortosa and died in Vallfogona. His reputation is based on one aspect of his work: that which emphasizes a thick, deliberately exaggerated humor,... Continue reading "Authors and Literary Movements: 16th to 19th Century" »

Numbers Written Out in English

Numbers 1 to 30

1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six
7. Seven
8. Eight
9. Nine
10. Ten
11. Eleven
12. Twelve
13. Thirteen
14. Fourteen
15. Fifteen
16. Sixteen
17. Seventeen
18. Eighteen
19. Nineteen
20. Twenty
21. Twenty-one
22. Twenty-two
23. Twenty-three
24. Twenty-four
25. Twenty-five
26. Twenty-six
27. Twenty-seven
28. Twenty-eight
29. Twenty-nine
30. Thirty

Numbers by Tens (40-100)

• Forty
• Fifty
• Sixty
• Seventy
• Eighty
• Ninety
• One hundred

Numbers 101 to 150

• One hundred and one
• One hundred and two
• One hundred and three
• One hundred and four
• One hundred and five
• One hundred and six
• One hundred and seven
• One hundred and eight
• One hundred and nine
• One hundred and ten
• One hundred and eleven
• One hundred and twelve
• One hundred and thirteen
• One hundred and fourteen
• One hundred and fifteen
• One hundred and sixteen
• One hundred and seventeen
• One hundred and eighteen
• One hundred and

Miguel de Cervantes

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was a Spanish novelist, poet, and playwright. He was likely born on September 29, 1547, in Alcalá de Henares and died on April 22, 1616, in Madrid. He was buried on April 23, and this date is popularly known as the date of his death. He is considered the greatest figure in Spanish literature. He is universally known, especially because he wrote *The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha*, which many critics have described as the first modern novel and one of the best works of world literature. He was given the nickname "Prince of Wits."

Baroque Poetry

Baroque poets demonstrate an extraordinary literary quality in sonnets, tenths, *letrillas*, *silvas*, *romances*, etc. Notable authors include... Continue reading "Spanish Literature: Key Authors and Movements" »

The Golden Century: An Introduction

The Golden Century (Siglo de Oro) refers to a period in Castilian literature spanning two centuries and two distinct stages.

The Renaissance (16th Century)

The Renaissance (16th century) is a broad cultural movement that transformed European life during the 16th century. It is known for the continuation, high regard, or resurgence of Classical Greek and Latin culture.

Humanists

Humanists were individuals dedicated to the study of the humanities, who proposed and restored Classical ideals:

• Study of Greek and Latin classical languages.
• Enthusiastic appraisal of the world and knowledge of the human being.

For humanists:

• The world is no longer just a place to step to the other life, but a place of beauty and worth to

Introduction to Post-Romanticism

In the last third of the 19th century, a reaction against the post-Romantic idealistic type emerged. Writers rebelled against bourgeois values and customs (business, money, fame) and chose a more marginal way of life (alcohol, drugs) as a rejection of the society to which they belonged. They were drawn to the bohemian lifestyle, a model based on rebellion and freedom, which had two faces: the dandy and the cursed. Writers believed that the ultimate aim of art should be beauty. With them, contemporary art and artists were born. Post-Romanticism had its maximum splendor in France, giving rise to two poetic movements: Parnassianism and Symbolism.

Parnassianism

Focused on the theme of art for art's sake, Parnassian

Liberalism: H.G. Wells

Herbert George Wells was born into a low-middle-class family facing economic problems, leading him to seek a grant for his studies. He earned a degree in zoology but chose to become a writer, authoring textbooks on biology and geography. Wells aimed to reform the social system, employing a simple and energetic style. His writing, characterized by social realism and inspired by personal experiences, often depicted social issues with a stark, impressionistic approach, creating an immediate impact on readers. His works explored science fiction, social problems, sexual freedom, and offered a sarcastic portrayal of English social life, critiquing institutions. Notable works include The Time Machine (science fiction) and Marriage... Continue reading "Literary Modernism: Wells, Eliot, Lawrence, and Woolf" »

The Roman Foundation of Barcino

Despite legends attributing its foundation to Hercules or hypotheses regarding Hamilcar Barca's famous Carthaginian saga, Barcino was established as a Roman law colony. This is confirmed by archaeological evidence and all classical sources. Barcino, officially named Colonia Iulia Augusta Paterna Barcino Faventia, was founded by Emperor Augustus in 14 BC, following the Cantabrian Wars and administrative reforms in the central and northeastern regions of the Iberian Peninsula. It stands out as a significant foundation among other late Roman cities of present-day Catalonia.

Geography, Resources, and Early Economy

The city was built on a small hill, known in the Middle Ages as Mount Taber (15 meters above sea level)... Continue reading "Barcino: The Roman Origins of Barcelona" »

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer's Rhyme XIV: An Analysis

Introduction to Rhyme XIV

Rhyme XIV, titled "I saw a point, and floating before my eyes," is a significant piece within Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer's collection of seventy-seven poems, known as the Rimas. Some of these poems are grouped by themes, and Rhyme XIV belongs to the second group, focusing on the theme of love. This poem is a quintessential example of Romanticism, a cultural and political movement that emerged as a revolutionary reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and Neoclassicism, emphasizing feeling over reason.

Central Theme and Inspiration

The primary theme of Rhyme XIV revolves around the author, identified as the poetic voice, who is deeply in love with a woman. The... Continue reading "Bécquer's Rhyme XIV: Love, Romanticism, and Poetic Devices" »

An Analysis of Juan Rulfo's Pedro Páramo

A Landmark of Magical Realism

Pedro Páramo is the singular novel by acclaimed Mexican writer Juan Rulfo. Published in 1955, it stands as a seminal work within the genre of magical realism and is widely regarded as one of the finest achievements in Latin American literature.

Themes and Setting

The novel vividly captures the essence of rural life in Mexico during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Rulfo masterfully portrays the profound economic and social changes experienced by peasants, many of whom were forced to migrate from their villages and farms to live in miserable city suburbs.

The narrative is remarkable for several reasons: In the desolate, dusty town of Comala, only living ghosts... Continue reading "Juan Rulfo's Pedro Páramo: Themes, Structure, and Impact" »

The Gaucho: A Cultural Icon

The gaucho, a mixed-race figure of Creole and mestizo heritage, emerged as a distinct human type on the plains of the Rio de la Plata region, with origins tracing back to colonial times.

Gaucho Poetry: An Oral Tradition

Gaucho poetry originated as an oral tradition, later adopted and developed by learned poets into a written art form.

Gaucho Poetry and Romanticism

During the Romantic era, gaucho poetry gained significant momentum due to its national character, which resonated with the movement's focus on local color.

The Evolution of Gaucho Poetry

Gaucho poetry evolved through three distinct stages:

1. Anonymous minstrels reciting songs in makeshift settings.
2. The transition from oral recitation to written poems, marking the