Literary Genres Classification: Narrative, Lyrical, Dramatic Forms

Literary genres are different groups into which literary works can be classified.

Narrative Genres: Epic and Prose

Epic: Verse Works Recounting Heroic Deeds

Verse works that recount the heroic deeds of heroes.

• Epopée (Epic Poem): A long poem that recounts heroic feats (Azana), such as the Iliad or Odyssey.
• Epic Poem: Recounts heroic deeds crucial to a town or civilization, focusing on national heroes' exploits. IVA Luisi.
• Chanson de Geste: A medieval epic poem that extols a hero (e.g., Cantar de Mio Cid).
• Romance: Poems derived from popular epic traditions, covering various themes.

Narrative (Prose)

Prose works that tell stories or adventures that happen to some characters (pjs) at a specific time.

• Novel: Extensive prose narrative. Born in the West with Don Quixote (Kijote).
• Short Story: A brief narrative; an important genre, especially in the 20th century.
• Novella: An extended narrative, considered intermediate between the short story and the novel.
• Legend (Lyenda): A story where a historical character or pseudohistorical element prevails, often featuring the wonderful or supernatural.

Lyrical Genres: Expression of Feeling

Expression of the author's feelings. Forms (Moldes):

Lyrical Elements and Structure

• Poem: The textual unit. Each poem can be autonomous.
• Verse: Unit of measure, rhythm, and rhyme.
• Meter (Action): Takes into account the number of syllables.
• Rhyme: The coincidence of sounds at the end of two or more verses, starting from the last stressed vowel. May be consonant (all sounds coincide) or assonance (only vowels coincide).
• Stanza: The unit formed by the combination of lines.

Lyrical Subgenres

• Eclogue (Églogla): Contains the expression of love, put into the mouth of shepherds in an idealized natural setting.
• Elegy: Expresses the pain of death or other misfortune.
• Ode: Expresses feelings like love or sadness, or sings praise to everyday things in varied tones.
• Satire (Censure): Humorous and brief critique of individual or collective faults or defects.

Theatrical or Dramatic Subgenres

Major Dramatic Forms

• Tragedy: Deals with major conflicts. The action ends with the death of characters (pjs), who typically belong to the upper class. The problems are often philosophical and existential conflicts. A typical characteristic is the inevitability of fate.
• Drama: Conflicts and passions are less intense than in tragedy. Characters do not necessarily belong to the upper class, nor must they be guided by fatality. The end is tragic. Can include tragicomedy (incorporating comic elements).
• Comedy: Characterized by kindness and celebration; aims to entertain the public. The action ends with a happy resolution.

Minor Dramatic Forms

• Auto Sacramental: Religious in character, often allegories about the truths of the Roman Catholic religion.
• Entremés (Appetizer): A short, festive piece represented during the intervals of longer works.
• Sainete: A short piece focusing on manners and character comedy nuances, featuring popular characters.

Mixed Genres

Opera, Operetta (Popereta): Genres where music is set to the written script, which is called the libretto.

Didactic Genres (Aids)

Genres intended for teaching or didactic purpose:

• Fable: Short moralistic narrative (prose or verse).
• Epistle: Form of a letter (prose or verse).
• Dialogue: Two or more characters (pjs) exchange didactic views.
• Essay: Prose piece whose purpose is to expose and discuss a topic based on experience (xp).