Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and exercises for Latin for Secondary education

Novecento and the Spanish Vanguard

Novecento: This literary trend aims to restore the aesthetic value of the poem. It is typical of Spain around 1910 and came into focus before the Civil War. In poetry, figures like Juan Ramón Jiménez looked away from Modernism.

Vanguardism: This represents Modernism in Europe following the initial avant-garde period.

Key European Vanguard Movements

• Futurism: Advocates a complete break with previous culture, exalting modernity, mechanics, and technique (Marinetti).
• Cubism: Vindicates the autonomy of the artwork; the writer seeks to capture the simultaneity of reality. Notable calligrams break with the linearity of language (Apollinaire).
• Dada: Tries to demonstrate the absurdity of life (Tzara).
• Surrealism: Defends

The Generation of '98

The crisis of the late 19th century gave rise to a group of writers who renewed Spanish letters. The name Generation of '98 was coined by José Martínez Ruiz (Azorín) and includes authors who shared selfless idealism, spirit, and a love of art.

Characteristics of the Generation

The defining characteristics of this group include:

• Rebellion: A reaction against the corruption caused by political instability.
• Vindication: A focus on the figure of Larra and the discovery of neglected aspects of Spanish culture.
• Style: Anti-rhetorical simplicity and elegance in their writing.
• Subjectivism: A reflection of the authors' own feelings.
• Traditionalism: An interest in Spain that led them to use traditional vocabulary and classical sources.

Spanish Literature: Silver Age and Beyond

This period encompasses writers of Modernism and the Generation of '14 (Novecentismo), alongside poets from the renowned Generation of '27, including figures like Salinas, Alberti, García Lorca, Aleixandre, Guillén, Diego Alonso, and Cernuda.

Juan Ramón Jiménez: Poetic Evolution

Juan Ramón Jiménez's poetic language evolved through three distinct stages:

• Sensory Stage: Characterized by works such as Soledad Sonora (Sound of Solitude) and Diario de un poeta recién casado (Diary of a Recently Married Poet).
• Intellectual Stage: Focused on deeper thought and introspection.
• Adequate or True Stage: Exemplified by Dios deseado y deseante (God Desired and Desiring) and the beloved Platero y yo (Platero and

The Generation of '98: Defining the Literary Movement

2.1. Defining the Generation of '98: The Critical Debate

A) Arguments Denying a Separate Generation of '98

Some critics argue for the denial of the existence of a distinct Generation of '98. For these authors, Modernism and '98 would be different manifestations of the same attitude and concern. Key figures in this line include:

• José Martínez Ruiz 'Azorín': In a text from 1913, he characterized the Generation of '98 by:
  • Spirit of protest against the establishment.
  • Deep love of art.
  • Influences of Parnassianism and Symbolism.

  The matter is further complicated when Azorín cites the most important authors of the "Generation" and includes Rubén Darío alongside Unamuno, Baroja, Machado, Maeztu, Valle-

• Alea iacta est: The die is cast.
• Veni, vidi, vici: I came, I saw, I conquered.
• Et tu, fili: And you, my son.
• Placet: Pleasant, free way.
• Nihil obstat: No impairment.
• Sine die: No time limit.
• Ad kalendas: Never.
• Per capita: Per head.
• Peccata minuta: Insignificant thing.
• Modus operandi: Way of acting.
• Modus vivendi: Way of living.
• Ars amandi: The art of loving.
• Rara avis: Something scarce.
• Sine qua non: Without which, nothing.
• Sui generis: Of its own class or type.
• Ex cathedra: Absolute possession of truth.
• Asinus ex cathedra: No possession of the truth.
• Ultimatum: Last opportunity.
• Referendum: Call to the polls.
• In extremis: In the last moment.
• In articulo mortis: In the time before dying.
• Quid pro quo: Something for something.
• Do ut des: I give so that you may give.

Baroque Theater: Lope de Vega

Lope de Vega — Features:

• He selects arguments from various sources.
• Action prevails in his works.
• His dialogues are full of lyricism; the characters' language is musical, rhythmic and expressive.

Calderón de la Barca

Features: Calderón's work is more complex and presents greater ideological depth; it appeals to a cultured, minority audience. He treats more abstract topics such as the brevity of life and human nature. He is also the author of several autos sacramentales (mystery plays).

Baroque Poetry: Features

Baroque poetry reflects the sense of crisis, pessimism and disillusionment characteristic of this cultural stage. The main themes are love, nature and mythology. There are also sensual and moral issues, as well...

Lorca and Poetic Expression

Federico García Lorca wrote the poem "Jando singing." The poets of the Generation of '27 used the metaphor extensively. Among the authors cited, four main figures of the Generation of '27 are:

• Dámaso Alonso
• Emilio Prados
• Jorge Guillén
• Pedro Salinas (implied by later mentions)

In the Generation of '27, Andalusia features more literary players than the region of Castile.

Authors and Themes of Love

Authors whose books contain the word "love" include: Gerardo Diego, Altolaguirre, Salinas, Aleixandre. Lorca was born in Salinas (Note: This seems to be a factual error in the original text; Lorca was born in Fuente Vaqueros, Granada. Assuming the text meant to link Lorca to Salinas's themes or location, but keeping the original...

Miguel de Cervantes: Father of the Modern Novel

Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra was born in Alcalá de Henares (Madrid) in 1547. He lived in Italy and participated in the Battle of Lepanto (1571), where he was wounded in the arm. During his return, he was captured by Barbary pirates and taken to Algiers. When he was released and arrived in Spain, he held different occupations. He published his first work, La Galatea, in 1585, and The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha in 1605. In 1615, he published the second part of Don Quixote; in this decade, he also released the Exemplary Novels. In the prologue of his last work, The Travails of Persiles and Sigismunda, written before he died in 1616, he says goodbye to his friends.

Francisco de Quevedo:

Medieval Literature: Cantigas de Santa Maria

The Cantigas de Santa Maria are poems composed at the court of Alfonso X of Castile, under the direction of the monarch, who was also the author of a number of texts. These compositions can be classified into two groups: narrative songs and lyrical songs.

Structure of Narrative Cantigas

The narrative songs recount a miracle attributed to the Virgin and always follow this structure:

• A threshold that indicates the specific miracle the song develops, followed by a refrain that is repeated at the end of each stanza.
• The presentation of the protagonist and the conflict they are involved in, followed by the intervention of the Virgin, who resolves all problems.
• A conclusion expressing praises toward Santa Maria.

Spanish Literary Movements: Modernism and the Generation of '98

Modernism (Modernismo)

Modernism is a literary movement which defends art for art's sake, whose sole purpose is to celebrate beauty and move the reader. It manifests itself mainly through poetry. Its most important figure is the poet Rubén Darío.

Characteristics of Modernism

• Escapism: Imagination runs away from the everyday and takes refuge in classical mythology, legends, and fairy tales.
• Spirituality: Fascination with spiritual movements opposed to established religion, such as spiritualism and the occult.
• Social Focus: Praise for marginalized groups, peers of the bohemian life.
• Musicality: Modernist poetry is primarily music, intended to convey sensations and sentiments.

Modernist