Two Giants of Spanish Poetry: Alberti and Cernuda

Rafael Alberti

Born in Puerto de Santa María, Alberti later moved to Madrid with his family. His first poems blended avant-garde styles with traditional lyricism and echoes of Bécquer. In 1925, he received the National Literature Award for Marinero en tierra. A profound emotional crisis in 1927 led him to María Teresa León, with whom he lived until returning to Spain in 1977, where he eventually passed away. Alberti explored diverse themes and poetic forms throughout his career. His poetry reflects his life experiences, focusing on:

• Nostalgia for a lost paradise
• Anxiety caused by the loss of this paradise
• Social commentary

Alberti's poetry is characterized by vivid imagery, musicality, and rich connotations. His poetic trajectory can be divided into several phases:

• Neopopularist Phase (Marinero en tierra): This stage draws heavily on traditional poetic forms and resources.
• Baroque and Artful Phase (Cal y canto): This period features formal procedures typical of Baroque poets.
• Surrealist Poetry (Sobre los ángeles): This phase marks a significant shift towards a more intimate style, utilizing free verse to reflect Alberti's personal crisis.
• Socially Engaged Poetry (El poeta en la calle): This stage reflects a turn towards social concerns, exploring the role of the poet in society.
• Poetry in Exile: Following the Spanish Civil War, Alberti's long exile infused his work with themes of longing for his homeland, blended with influences from his new cultural environment.

Luis Cernuda

Born in Seville in 1902, Cernuda later moved to Madrid to study. He remained largely overlooked until the 1960s, when he reemerged as a mentor to young poets. His romantic poetry often explores the struggle between aspirations and reality—"reality and desire." Key works from his extensive oeuvre include Un río, un amor and Donde habita el olvido. His sensitive and unique personality profoundly marked his poetic style.