Key Concepts in 18th and 19th Century Literary Movements

Foundational Concepts of 18th and 19th Century Literature

The Enlightenment (Illustration)

A cultural and ideological movement that renewed profound thought and culture throughout the 18th century. Key characteristics include the desire to know, questioning the criterion of authority, and the use of the inductive method.

Neoclassicism: Aesthetic Ideals

An aesthetic movement rooted in ideas, characterized by a return to Classicism and the adoption of French Greco-Roman classical models.

Preromanticism: The Sentimental Current

This current precedes sentimental Romanticism. Unlike Neoclassicism, which focused strictly on reason and balance, Preromanticism emphasized the natural and the individual.

Poetic Forms of the Era

Rococo Poetry Characteristics

A simpler lyrical form of Baroque poetry, characterized by:

• Less complex structures and attenuation of syntactic twisting.
• A search for lightness and refinement.
• Use of short lines and short, closed stanzas.
• Frequent use of nicknames and epithets.
• Common themes: nature, love, and female beauty.

Anacreontics: Neoclassical Philosophical Poetry

This is a form of philosophical and utilitarian poetry, often presenting a more tender and sensual pictorial side. It is characteristic of Neoclassical poetry.

Key features include:

• A delicate, pastoral vision of nature.
• Singing the praises of daily pleasures.
• Short compositions and short stanzas.
• A festive, joyful tone that extols love and sensual pleasure.

Drama and Theatrical Rules

Romantic Comedy: A Hybrid Genre

This genre blends elements of tragedy and comedy, typically featuring realistic characters and a usual happy ending. While accepting Neoclassical units, it often prefers verse.

Themes and Literary Merit:

• Criticism of unequal marriage.
• Exaltation of bourgeois values.
• Highest literary merit: Incorporating a new language and focusing on low-life characters and sensitive dramatic pieces.

The Rule of Three Units (Neoclassical Drama)

This is a crucial principle in Neoclassical comedies, requiring:

1. A single action (Unity of Action).
2. Taking place in a single location (Unity of Place).
3. Occurring within no more than one day's time (Unity of Time).

This rule was applied in Enlightenment theater to enhance credibility and better convey the didactic message.

Moratín's Didactic Theater

The work of Leandro Fernández de Moratín carried a strong didactic intention, primarily focused on censoring bad habits and criticizing arranged marriages. His plays satirized the pompous and unlikely dramatic elements that were popular with the public of the time.

The Sainete: Short Comic Interlude

The Sainete is a short, comic play typically performed during the intervals of major dramatic works. It dramatized everyday situations and featured characters typical of the era.

Its effect was often to question the division of genres and distract the audience, thereby complicating the didactic purpose of the main work.

Divergent Paths in Romanticism

Traditional vs. Progressive Romanticism

Romantic artists often followed two opposing directions:

• Traditional Romanticism: Characterized by nostalgia for old, traditional values (e.g., Espronceda).
• Progressive Romanticism: Defined by rebellion, not only against the contemporary world but also against the established past (e.g., José Joaquín de Mora).