Literary Movements of the Spanish Golden Age: Renaissance to Baroque

The Italianate Lyric

The Italianate lyric introduced new forms and themes into Spanish poetry:

Key Topics of the Italianate Lyric

• Love: Conceived as a psychological process in which the beloved is idealized.
• Nature: Seen both as a manifestation of the harmony of God's creation and a confidante of the poet.
• Mythology.

Metrics and Strophic Forms

The hendecasyllable verse, imported from Italian poetry, brought new compositions and strophic forms:

• The Sonnet (verses arranged in two quatrains and two tercets).
• The Heroic Verse Poem.

Genres Recovered from Classical Literature

Various genres of classical literature were recovered:

• The Ode: Suitable for existential, moral, and philosophical reflection.
• The Epistle: Allows the expression of domestic and family issues.
• The Eclogue: Feelings are expressed through the voice of pastors who speak of their love in an idyllic nature.
• The Song: Used for love lament.

Religious Literature and Spiritual Renewal

The Renaissance period saw a stream of religious renewal, aiming to achieve a more intimate and sincere spirituality. This spiritual quest is manifested in two closely related tendencies reflected in the literature:

• Asceticism: A path the soul must follow through prayer and sacrifice to achieve its development and perceive God.
• Mysticism: A state of perfection where the soul, purified, is united with God.

Baroque Literature: Style and Ingenuity

The Baroque period introduced a different conception of literary language, giving rise to two major currents:

• Culteranismo (Gongorism)

  This movement searches for formal beauty using learned words and the creation of an artificial, highly stylized language. Its chief proponent is Luis de Góngora.

• Conceptismo

  This movement is based on ingenuity and wit (concepto). Frequent stylistic devices include irony, paradox, caricature, and double meanings. The most prominent figure is Francisco de Quevedo.

The Lyric of the Baroque Period

Baroque poetry did not involve a complete break from the Renaissance lyric, but rather a revolution. Genres and meters imported from Italy were preserved, while traditional forms—such as the octosyllable verse, romances (ballads), and letrillas—regained force.

Themes: The themes reflect the concerns of the time, such as the transience of life and disappointment.

Style: The style incorporates both Culterano and Conceptista innovations.

The main Baroque poets are Góngora, Lope de Vega, and Quevedo.

Luis de Góngora's Poetic Styles

Góngora's work is typically divided into two categories:

• Popular Poems (Minor Art)

  These compositions are written in a language without artifice. They include the ballads (romances) and letrillas.

• Cult Poems (Major Art)

  These are usually compositions of great art, outstanding examples being his sonnets and two long poems.