Baroque and Renaissance: Art, Culture, and Historical Context

The Baroque Period

Characteristics and Context

The Baroque was an artistic and cultural movement that emerged in the 17th century. In contrast to the harmony and simplicity of the Renaissance, the Baroque period is notable for its contrast, exaggeration, complexity, and disillusionment.

Historical Context in Spain

Spain had lost its hegemony in the world. After Philip II, the reigns of Philip III, Philip IV, and Charles II led Spain to total ruin. These kings appointed various validos (favorites) to administer the money, which led to extreme poverty among the populace.

Baroque Literature

The socio-historical context fostered profound disappointment and pessimism. Hence, literature abandoned simplicity and became complex and challenging.

Literary Concepts

• Polysemic words: Words with a single origin whose meanings are related.
• Homonymous words: Words that coincide in form. Two kinds:
  • Homographs: Coincide in spelling and pronunciation (e.g., 'spring').
  • Homophones: Coincide in pronunciation only (e.g., 'flour' and 'flower').
• Hyperonyms: Words that include other words (e.g., 'furniture' includes 'chair', 'cabinet', etc.).
• Hyponyms: Words included within other words (e.g., 'chair', 'table' are hyponyms of 'furniture').
• Antonyms (opposite meanings): Three types:
  • Graded Antonyms: Allow for intermediate degrees (e.g., 'hot' / 'cold').
  • Complementary Antonyms: The negation of one implies the affirmation of the other (e.g., 'open' / 'closed').
  • Reciprocal Antonyms: One term implies the other (e.g., 'buy' / 'sell').

The Renaissance Period

Characteristics and Context

The Renaissance was an artistic and cultural movement born in Italy (Quattrocento) that arrived in Spain in the 16th century. It imitated Greco-Roman beauty and harmony, contrasting with the more religious and obscure Middle Ages.

Historical Context: Reformation and Humanism

Humanism fostered anthropocentric visions. The Reformation was a radical change in religion, culture, and politics. It originated with Martin Luther's protests, leading to Protestantism. According to this, salvation did not depend on one's conduct.

Erasmianism also originated, a religious movement that, while Catholic, was harshly critical of the Church, contrasting with Protestantism. In Spain, Catholicism, in contrast to Protestantism, proposed a deeper dive into the spiritual (exemplified by Santa Teresa de Jesús and Fray Luis de León). This marked a significant change in mentality.

Medieval feudalism gave way to the rise of cities, the development of trade, and the birth of the bourgeoisie.

Spanish Renaissance Monarchy

Two kings dominated the Spanish Renaissance: Charles V and Philip II. These kings were occupied with wars against Protestants and maintaining European hegemony during the Renaissance, aiming to preserve the largest empire that had ever existed.

Literary Topics

• Locus Amoenus: A pleasant place, typically a green meadow with a river, where the action takes place.
• Beatus Ille: Expresses the preference for rural life over the city.
• Carpe Diem: Encourages enjoying life and seizing the day.