The Legacy of Spanish Post-Romanticism: Bécquer and Castro

Spanish Post-Romanticism: Bécquer and Castro

In the second half of the nineteenth century, the influence of German poetry came to Spain. These compositions mimic the rhythm and resources of popular lyrics. Far from the complaint and ornamentation typical of earlier Romanticism, this movement culminated in a trend known as Post-Romanticism.

Rosalía de Castro: Galician Post-Romantic Poet

Born in 1837 in Santiago de Compostela, Rosalía de Castro is a foundational figure of the movement.

Major Works by Rosalía de Castro

• Cantares Gallegos (Galician Songs)

  Written in Galician, the author uses traditional forms to evoke the customs and mores of her land. Social issues, such as migration, often feature a vindictive tone.

• Follas Novas (New Leaves)

  Also written in Galician, this collection reflects deep personal emotions. It includes poems dedicated to the evocation of her homeland.

• En las orillas del Sar (On the Banks of Sar)

  This book of poems is written in Castilian Spanish. The lyrical voice shares personal feelings with the landscape. The use of a choppy rhythm through verses of varying length reflects the author's tormented feeling, focusing on themes of loneliness and death.

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer: Intimacy and Musicality

Rimas (Rhymes)

Bécquer's Rimas are characterized by their brevity, intimacy, and musicality. In these compositions, Bécquer constructs monologues and dialogues targeted to a "you," which is usually a woman. Stylistically, they are characterized by:

• The use of varied rhyme schemes.
• Common, accessible language.
• Metaphors drawn from nature.

Key Themes in Rimas

• Poetry and Creation: A series of rhymes is dedicated to the mystery of poetic creation. Poetry is identified with the feminine, and the poet is responsible for transmitting it.
• Love: Focuses on the love story, tracing the journey from the illusion of meeting to enmity and the final separation from the beloved, which leaves the poet in loneliness.
• Existential Pain: Dedicated to the feeling of existential pain and reflection on death.

Legends (Prose Narratives)

The Legends are a series of prose narratives, set in different parts of Spain and situated in the distant or immediate past of the author. The presence of the natural world is constant, and characters are often placed into two camps: good and evil.

Key Themes in Legends

• Love: That often leads to a tragic end.
• Music: Explored as an artistic expression.
• Religion: Related to love in some accounts.