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

Summary of the Treaties in Lazarillo de Tormes

Treaty II: The Cleric of Maqueda

In this part, the theme of hunger intensifies. Lázaro's master, the cleric, fails to provide, forcing Lázaro to devise all sorts of stratagems and invent tricks to survive and find food.

Treaty III: The Squire

The theme of hunger culminates in this treaty. Lázaro serves a proud, yet extremely poor, squire who values a sense of honor above all else. Lázaro, already a child with experience, quickly discerns the squire's true, hidden situation.

Treaty IV: The Friar of Mercy

This section breaks the narrative rhythm. The reader takes on the role of an observer, and the narrator does not delve into Lázaro's psychological development. Instead, it describes Lázaro's service... Continue reading "Lazarillo de Tormes: Chapters and Literary Analysis" »

La Celestina: A Hybrid Work

La Celestina is a hybrid work, mixing two genres: drama and comedy. The author's intention is to warn young people of the dangers of unrestrained passion for love and the evils of avarice. The work presents two distinct worlds: the bourgeoisie and the servants.

Key Themes in La Celestina

• Religio Amoris
• Descriptio Puellae
• Death and Fate

The Early Spanish Renaissance

The Early Renaissance sought beauty, with themes of love, nature, and mythology. Key authors of this period include Garcilaso de la Vega and Juan Boscán.

Style and Metrics of the Early Renaissance

Poets imitated Italian forms. Endecasyllabic and heptasyllabic verses are commonly used. The most frequent stanzas are:

• Triplets
• Octava Real
• Sonnet
• Lira
• Silva
• Estancia

Common

This document highlights key figures and their significant contributions to Spanish literature, focusing on the Modernist movement and the Generation of '98.

Rubén Darío

Rubén Darío was born in Nicaragua, a diplomat by profession, who came into contact with new poetry trends in Argentina. He visited Spain in 1892 and 1899, returning recognized as the greatest exponent of Modernism. His notable works include Azul, Prosas Profanas, and Cantos de Vida y Esperanza.

Key Aspects of Rubén Darío's Work

• Themes: Exoticism, cosmopolitanism, sensuality, asceticism, intimacy, and unworthiness, along with an abundance of Hispanic themes. An example is 'Cyrano in Spain'.
• Form: Enriched lexicon and revolutionized metrics, utilizing all resources to create

Western Catalan

Phonetics

• Unstressed vowels /e/, /o/, /u/ remain differentiated; the schwa does not exist.
• The digraph 'ix' between vowels or at the end of a word is pronounced /ʃ/.

Morphology

• Masculine words ending in '-e' form plurals with '-os' or '-es'.
• Weak pronouns have flat forms.
• Inchoative verbs form their increment with '-ix' or '-isca'.

Lexicon

• Primarily Latin origin.
• Many words derive from an Iberian-Basque substrate.
• Valencian Catalan features numerous Arabisms.

Northwestern Catalan

Phonetics

• Vocalism: Initial unstressed 'e' often becomes 'a'. It tends to slacken or diphthongize into 'au'. 'e' sometimes converts and influences 'll'.
• Consonantism: Post-consonantal 'x' (e.g., 'ex-') is articulated as /ks/. The initial sound 'j' (or 'g' before

Poetry

Postwar (1940s)

Interruption of cultural life due to the Civil War. Poetry rooted in compliance with the regime: El Escorial, Luis Rosales, Leopoldo Panero, José García Nieto. Uprooted poetry reflecting the hopelessness of existence: Bulrush, José Hierro, Blas de Otero, Dámaso Alonso.

Social Poetry (1950s)

Shift from existentialist despair. Key authors include: Gabriel Celaya (three stages), and Blas de Otero (lawyer, professor).

Poetry of the 1950s Generation

Focus on refined language and poetic themes. Key authors include: Jaime Gil de Biedma (Traveling Companions), Antonio Gamoneda (Uprising Still).

Theatre

Postwar (1940s)

Conventional theatre: José María Pemán. Humoristic theatre, often absurd and witty: Enrique Jardiel Poncela (based... Continue reading "Postwar Spanish Literature: Poetry, Theatre, and Novels" »

Literary and Linguistic Concepts

Werther: A Tragic Romantic Narrative

Werther is a character consumed by passionate love. He loves a woman who is already engaged to his friend, leading to immense unhappiness. Werther's violent love ultimately drives him to suicide. Their conflict stems from the impossibility of his love, as the woman he adores is committed to his friend, and he wishes for her happiness, not her suffering.

Understanding Text Types

Texts can be categorized based on their purpose and context:

• Everyday Social Relations Texts:

  • Rules
  • Instructions
  • Letters
  • Forms
  • Diaries
  • Forums
  • Advertisements

• Academic Life Texts:

  • Summaries
  • Schemes/Outlines
  • Projects

• Media Communication Texts (Press, Radio & TV):

  • News
  • Reports/Chronicles
  • Interviews
  • Essays
  • Columns

• Literary

19th Century Literary Movements and Key Authors

Early Literary Developments and Social Commentary

The narrative gathers recreated insights, spread throughout the literary life that is part of the ELA collective. Author Robert C.M. Robert, with a critical intent, confronts a nostalgic approach. He denounces the unreasonable, arbitrary, and dishonest behavior of society at the time. The Roberts belong to a street lineage, while others are rural. Urban contemporary realism brings us closer to reality.

Literary Stages and Prose Development

• Stage 1: Costumbrista Literature – Develops relationships with romance, offering a subjective vision of reality.
• Stage 2: Prose Development – Necessary for the evolution of prose. Emili Vilanova's elegy for a

The Generation of '27: A Literary Overview

The Generation of '27 was a group of Spanish poets who shared friendships and activities. Their work was influenced by Góngora, particularly after the commemoration of his death in 1927. Their themes were varied, including nostalgia, the life of soldiers, death, and love.

A key characteristic of this generation was the search for a balance between tradition and innovation. They were respectful of past eras, drawing inspiration from lyrical poetry of the Spanish Golden Age (Garcilaso and Quevedo), Romanticism (Bécquer), and contemporary poets like Machado and Juan Ramón Jiménez, as well as Modernism (Rubén Darío). They also achieved a reconciliation between intellectual and sentimental approaches,... Continue reading "Generation of '27: Poets, Works, and Influences" »

Spanish Golden Age Literature

Key Authors and Movements

Francisco de Quevedo (1580-1645)

Born in 1580 and died in Madrid in 1645. He lived in the Paso Real city during a recent era. Quevedo was a versatile poet, writing about love, satire, religion, and metaphysics. He was known for his word games.

Luis de Góngora (1561-1627)

Born in Cordoba (1561-1627). He was a priest and a poet of his era. He skillfully combined popular poetry and erudite wit, using a rich lexicon and syntax, elevating the language of art.

Lope de Vega (1562-1635)

Born in Madrid (1562-1635). He was fortunate in love and was a priest. He wrote many works, including "The New Art of Comedy in this Time," where he created new rules for the theater. Everything Lope starts, Calderón... Continue reading "Understanding Spanish Golden Age Literature: Authors and Styles" »