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

Realism in Spanish Literature

Realism, a dominant literary movement in the second half of the 19th century, primarily in Europe, sought to depict life authentically. Its narratives often drew from everyday customs, portraying reality with meticulous detail. Narrative became the definitive literary form, perhaps overshadowing theater in prominence.

Key Characteristics of Realism

• Focus on Everyday Life: Pervades the common person's experiences and daily routines.
• Descriptive Style: Employs a varied and detailed writing style.
• Complex Characters: Features well-characterized, complex, and realistic individuals.
• Central Theme: Explores the conflict between individual dreams, thoughts, and the harsh realities of life.
• Intimate Life: Integrates the intimate

Western Varieties

Morphological Features

• -s plurals.
• 1st person singular present indicative ending in -es or no ending.
• Present tense of inchoative verbs ending in -ix.
• Present subjunctive of inchoative verbs ending in -isca.

Phonetic Features

• Pronounced differentiation between unstressed e, a, and i.
• Pronounced differentiation between unstressed o and u.

Specific Lexicon

• Mirror
• Boy
• Red
• Depart
• Farmer
• Lamb

Oriental Varieties

Morphological Traits

• -s plurals.
• 1st person singular present indicative ending in -o or no ending.
• Present tense of inchoative verbs ending in -eix.

Phonetic Features

• No distinction between unstressed e, a, and i.
• No differentiation between unstressed o and u.

Specific Lexicon

• Mirror
• Boy
• Red
• Out
• Pages
• Lamb

Geographic Distribution of Oriental Varieties

• Roussillon
• Central

The Generation of '27: A Literary Movement

The Generation of '27 was a prominent group of Spanish poets and writers who emerged in the 1920s. The group's name commemorates the tercentenary of the death of Baroque poet Luis de Góngora, an event that led to the publication of his works and the organization of cultural events, fostering a shared identity among these young artists.

Key Poets of the Generation of '27

• Gerardo Diego
• Jorge Guillén
• Dámaso Alonso
• Pedro Salinas
• Federico García Lorca
• Rafael Alberti
• Luis Cernuda
• Vicente Aleixandre
• Manuel Altolaguirre
• Emilio Prados

Defining Features of the Group

• A blend of tradition and avant-garde styles.
• Strong influence from classical poets, particularly Luis de Góngora.
• Embrace of pure poetry, emphasizing aesthetic

Medieval Spanish Prose

Prose Development in the Middle Ages

Latin was initially favored for written expression. However, Castilian steadily gained recognition for literary and scholarly works. Alfonso X and Don Juan Manuel in the 14th century solidified Castilian's role as a versatile language for diverse content.

The Prose of Alfonso X the Wise (13th Century)

Amidst the Reconquista, Alfonso X, though sometimes criticized for his limited military involvement, is recognized for his cultural contributions. He championed the arts and sciences, notably translating and adapting Arabic and Hebrew works. One of Alfonso X's key achievements was establishing Castilian as the official language and fostering the Toledo School of Translators. This ensured... Continue reading "Medieval Spanish Prose: From Alfonso X to Don Juan Manuel" »

Spanish Baroque Literature: Key Styles

The 17th century in Spain was marked by two prominent literary styles within the Baroque period: Culteranismo and Conceptismo.

Culteranismo: The Style of Luis de Góngora

Culteranismo, exemplified by Luis de Góngora, emphasizes the expression of form. It is characterized by:

• The use of educated language, often close to Latin.
• Elaborate metaphors and literary hyperbaton.
• The invention of new words or the use of unusual vocabulary (neologisms).

Conceptismo: The Style of Francisco de Quevedo

In contrast, Conceptismo, associated with Francisco de Quevedo, tends towards concision and expressive density. Its features include:

• Ellipsis and hyperbole.
• Antithesis and paradoxes.

Prose genres of the period included Byzantine... Continue reading "Spanish Golden Age: Literary Styles, Authors, and Genres" »

The Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages

Chronology and Cultural Coexistence

The Middle Ages lasted approximately 1,000 years, from the fall of the Roman Empire in the **5th century** until the discovery of the New World in 1492. During this period, several Christian kingdoms existed: León, Castile, Navarre, Aragon, and Portugal.

Muslims entered the peninsula in 711 and maintained control until 1492, primarily in the south. During the Middle Ages, three cultures coexisted in the peninsula: **Christian, Muslim, and Hebrew**. Many Jews were expelled in 1492.

It was during the Middle Ages that the first cultural Romance languages appeared, including Castilian, Galician, and Catalan.

The Medieval Social Structure (Three Estates)

Medieval society was... Continue reading "Medieval Spain: Society, Literature, and the Epic of El Cid" »

Spanish Renaissance Lyric Poetry: Forms and Themes

Formal Aspects of Renaissance Lyric

• Poetic Forms: Hendecasyllable, Tercets (chained), Lira (lyre stanza), Ottava Rima, Sonnet, Sapphic Stanza.
• Style and Resources: Emphasis on simplicity and naturalness, rich use of adjectives, epithets, metaphors, and hyperbaton.

Key Topics in Renaissance Lyric

• Imitation of classical authors like Virgil and Horace.
• Courtly love and reasons for pain.
• Beauty canon responding to the Renaissance woman ideal.
• Latin topoi: Carpe Diem (seize the day), Beatus Ille (blessed is he), Locus Amoenus (pleasant place).
• Introspection and spiritual reflection.

Garcilaso de la Vega: Pioneer of Spanish Lyric

Major Works and Influence

Garcilaso's Petrarchan lyrical poetry, particularly his... Continue reading "Spanish Golden Age Literature: Authors, Forms, and Masterpieces" »

Baroque Poetry: Themes and Innovations

Baroque poetry presents a variety of themes and issues, with innovations and an intensification of Renaissance expressive resources.

Topics and Trends

• Romantic Poetry: Retrieves the Petrarchan model (description of female beauty, frustrated love, mythology).
• Philosophical and Moral Poetry: Addresses disappointment, the brevity and transience of life, the concept of death, the censure of vices, and the pursuit of virtue.
• Religious Poetry: Includes spiritual reflection, repentance, and commemorative poetry.
• Burlesque Poetry: Abounds in parody and humor, even ridicule and personal attacks.

Formal Aspects

• Metrical: Poems and verses less Italianate.
• Style: Elaborate poetic language, extreme acuity, the concept (metaphor,

Types of Coordinated Propositions

Coordination

Copulative: y, e, ni

Disjunctive: o, u

Distributive: one...another, bien...bien

Adversative

Restrictive/Partial: but, however, most, but nonetheless, although

Exclusive/Full: but, before bien

Explanatory

that is, what's more, for example

Pronouns and Their Values

Personal: Buy a book for Martha

Reflexive: Shaves

Reciprocal: Pedro and I look at frames

Interest: Laura, take one

Language Types and Characteristics

Administrative Language

Used in public and citizen-facing documents. Examples: analysis, curriculum, resource management, circulars.

Legal Language

Governs citizen relations. Examples: laws, proclamations, decrees, lawsuits, judgments, edicts.

Scientific Language

Communicates research results. Features explanatory... Continue reading "Coordinated, Disjunctive, and Adversative Propositions in Language" »

19th Century Spanish Realism and Naturalism

Realism: Characteristics and Development

General Characteristics of Realism

• Themes: Realist novels avoid fantastic or overly intimate themes. Instead, they focus on conflicts of the middle class, failures, and economic problems. The description of the real world and the writer's external reality replaces fantastic elements.
• Characters: Unlike the complex, contrasting figures of Romanticism, Realism's characters often reflect the middle class, possessing great psychological depth.
• Language: Authors use a natural, literary language, avoiding the rhetorical excesses of Romanticism. Dialogues are tailored to each character's cultural level.
• Time and Space: Works are set in the present and in familiar, nearby