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

Naturalism

Naturalism was a drift of Realism in France during the last decades of the 19th century. Its creator was Émile Zola, who presented his theory in works such as The Experimental Novel and Evenings of Médan.

• Naturalists relied on observation and experimentation.
• Topics covered were related to marginalization in all its aspects.
• They were interested in miserable and sad environments, and characters were often marginalized (alcoholics, 'morons', etc.).
• Technically, the authors' documentation and naturalistic observation were proclaimed by Realism.
• The writer's attitude toward reality was to be impartial.
• The end of the novel was moral: the writer aimed to improve society.

Naturalistic Novel in Spain

From 1883, when Emilia Pardo Bazán published... Continue reading "Literary Trends in Late 19th Century Spain" »

Joaquim Ruyra: Life and Literary Contributions

Joaquim Ruyra was born in Girona on September 27, 1858, and died in Barcelona on May 15, 1939. He was a Catalan writer, considered one of the greatest storytellers of the modern 20th century. Heir to rural properties in Blanes, his father was a lawyer in Girona, where Ruyra studied at the seminary of St. Martin. After attending the Institut Street Force in 1873, he participated in the Carlist War.

A narrator and writer of the Art Nouveau era, Ruyra was recognized by J. F. He collaborated with several magazines. In 1919, he published The Stop, and in 1931, he published The Copla. The government commissioned him to write the biography of Ramon Turró.

Ruyra's Major Works

Poetry:

• The Land of Plenty, 1906
• Ventises-

The Popular Lyric: The conversation in popular lyrics was often captured in songbooks of the era. A common lyrical form is the Christmas carol.

Carol Structure

Carols typically feature opening lines that are partially or wholly repeated as a refrain. They usually have four or more verses. Two lines often rhyme: one with the refrain and another, called the back line, with the chorus.

Carols were used in performances on biblical themes.

The Romance

The romance form, with its series of eight-syllable lines in rhyming pairs (assonance in even lines), originates from epic verses. Both primitive and minstrel romances, created in the 15th century, are part of the old ballads. They are lyrical-epic in character and cover a variety of topics, including historical... Continue reading "Spanish Renaissance Poetry: Forms, Themes, and Key Authors" »

Theater in the 20th Century Before 1936

Commercial Theater

1. Trends

1.1. Commercial Theater: No Frills

1.2. Authors and Works

• Jacinto Benavente: *The Unloved*
• Carlos Arniches: *The Chiefs*
• Serafín and Joaquín Álvarez Quintero: *The Cain Theater Renovation*

Theater Renovation

1. Features

2. Authors and Works

• Valle-Inclán: *Luces de Bohemia*
• Lorca: *Blood Wedding*

Overview: In the theater before the Civil War, there were two main trends: commercial theater and theater renovation. The commercial theater included more conventional works that catered to the public's tastes of the time, such as comedies of bourgeois atmosphere (e.g., *Autumn Roses*) and rural melodramas (e.g., *The Unloved*) by Jacinto Benavente. Modern literature included Carlos Arniches... Continue reading "Spanish Theater Pre-Civil War: Key Figures and Works" »

Modernism in Spanish Poetry (Up to 1915)

The Modernist movement marks the development of lyric poetry up to approximately 1915. Its initiator was Rubén Darío. Modernism synthesizes the influences of two French movements: Parnassianism and Symbolism. Darío's career reflects the movement's evolution: from formal brilliance and sophisticated, elusive subjects to greater intimacy and deeper reflection on American themes.

Key Figures in Spanish Modernist Poetry

Spanish Modernist poetry was more Symbolist than Parnassian. Its main representatives include:

• Eduardo Marquina
• Francisco Villaespesa
• Manuel Machado: He combined a French-influenced style with Andalusian folk themes and reflections, often frivolous, disillusioned, and somewhat skeptical. His

Spanish Narrative to 1939

The Spanish narrative up to 1939 has its origins in the crisis of 1898. This, coupled with a growing loss of confidence in the positivism of the previous century, led to pessimism and "anguish." This social and ideological situation was joined by a special cultural development. A group of eager young writers emerged, imbued with refreshing ideas, including Ramiro de Maeztu, Pío Baroja, Miguel de Unamuno, Jacinto Benavente, Rubén Darío, Ramón del Valle-Inclán, and the Machado brothers. They lived intensely through the historical events and issues of Spain and were especially sensitive to the "disaster of '98."

The Generation of '98

The term "Generation of '98" is mainly associated with writers such as Azorín, Baroja,... Continue reading "Spanish Narrative to 1939: Generation of '98 & Modernism" »

Roman Theater: Origins and Characteristics

Theater emerged in Rome after the epic period and just before the lyric period. Although several theatrical genres were cultivated, comedy was the most triumphant. Representative authors of Roman comedy include Plautus and Terence.

Roman Comedy: Influences and Types

Roman comedy draws heavily on Greek comedy, adapting themes and character types to Roman customs. Different types of comedy include:

• Fabula Palliata: Characterized by a Greek setting. Actors wore the Greek costume, called pallium in Rome.
• Fabula Togata: Featured a Roman setting and characters dressed in the Roman toga.

Plays could be classified as:

• Motoriae (busy)
• Statariae (calmer)
• Mixtae (a combination of both)

Plautus: Master of Roman Comedy

Plautus... Continue reading "Roman Theater and Comedy: Plautus and Terence" »

The Generation of '98: Key Figures

The Generation of '98 was a group of Spanish writers, essayists, and poets active during the time of the Spanish-American War (1898). They were characterized by their profound criticism of Spanish society and their search for the essence of Spain.

Pío Baroja

Pío Baroja (1872–1956), born in San Sebastián, studied medicine in Madrid, although he ultimately devoted himself to literature. He was one of the great novelists of his generation.

Antonio Machado

Antonio Machado (Seville, July 26, 1875 – Collioure, France, February 22, 1939) was a Spanish poet and a late member of the Generation of '98. His early work often aligns with the literary movement called Modernism. He remains one of the most representative... Continue reading "Key Authors and Movements of 20th Century Spanish Literature" »

Garcilaso de la Vega (1501-1536)

In 1543, his works, alongside those of Juan Boscán, were published, marking the advent of Petrarchan lyrical poetry in Spain. Garcilaso's concise body of work—**forty sonnets, three Eclogues, five songs, two elegies, an epistle, and eight octosyllabic poems of the *cancionero* type**—revolutionized Spanish lyric poetry. Born into an aristocratic family in Toledo, he dedicated his life to the service of King Charles I. In 1525, he married Elena de Zúñiga. The following year, he met Isabel Freire (Isabel of Portugal, wife of the monarch), who would inspire many of his writings.

His primary theme is *love*, often expressed through melancholy and sadness, stemming from the frustration or absence of his beloved.... Continue reading "Renaissance Spanish Poetry: Garcilaso de la Vega and Fray Luis de León" »

Modernism: Rejects the vision of reality that values utilitarianism above all. It overcomes the tediousness and lack of imagination of writers, aiming to achieve beauty by renewing the language. Historical Context: The colonies are lost, and there is little industrialization. Two Trends:

1. Literature that is sensual, expressing feelings and exotic landscapes, with poetry of evasion that excels in external aspects.
2. Introspective literature that expresses feelings and emotions, no matter how intimate.

Language: Utilizes learned words and neologisms, employing figurative language to create beauty. Metrica: Poetry of all kinds. Ruben Dario's second stage: Work and Issues Reflective and intimate poetry filled with melancholy (songs of life and hope)... Continue reading "Understanding Modernism in Spanish Literature" »