Antonio Machado's Poetic Evolution and Themes

Machado: His Works and Evolving Themes

The central issues in Antonio Machado's works—time, love, sleep, worry, and Spain—evolve throughout his writing life. His poetry ranges from intimate and melancholy to more subjective and objective explorations.

Poetic Development (Circa 1907)

Around 1907, Machado sought intimacy in his poetry, focusing on:

• Poetry outside of time, the eternal present.
• Substantive and adjective poetry.
• Poetry set in the past and observing the real world.

First Poetry Book: "Solitudes, Galleries, and Other Poems"

He continuously revised his first book of poetry over the years:

• 1903: "Solitudes"
• 1907: Modification of "Solitude"
• 1917: "Complete Poems and Solitude"
• 1919: Final version: "Solitudes, Galleries, and Other Poems"

This work utilizes characteristic Modernist resources, such as:

Ambiences (landscapes, sunsets, gardens...), verbal coinage, rhyme with long lines, phonetic resources, synesthesia, and abundant adjectives.

Solitude: Style and Core Concepts

"Solitude" blends styles including existentialism, impressionism, and symbolism. It is a work of Spanish Romantic poetry influenced by Parnassianism and Symbolism. It is the richest book in terms of metrics and linguistic elements, undergoing transformation in later editions.

Machado's Intimate Character

In "Solitude," Machado projects a more serious and mysterious character, revealing his most intimate and sentimental side. This work marks the beginning of his poetic path, showing little direct relation between the landscape and the author, expressing dreams, and a tendency toward nihilism through symbols of the passage of time.

Topics of "Solitude"

Key themes include the loss of time and youth (especially after the death of Leonor):

• Death: Intensified by Leonor's passing.
• Time: Expressed through symbols like the river and the traveler.
• The Pursuit of Authentic Word: Seeking language that expresses the poet's feelings, conveying universal and eternal character.
• Symbols: Sleep and the human soul are used to convey emotions to the reader.

Specific Symbols and Emotions

The book addresses several emotional states:

The Night

A dialogue between the poet and the night (*noxe*).

Sadness

Melancholy over what has been lost.

Anguish of Living

Monotony and boredom.

Lack of Love

The desire to possess it; the conflict between reality and desire.

The Problem of God

The justification of human life.

Key Symbols in "Solitude"

The primary symbols employed are:

• Water source
• Afternoon, night
• The beloved figure
• Galleries, river