Miguel Hernández: Life and Poetic Evolution

Miguel Hernández: A Literary Journey

Early Influences and the Echo of Góngora

In 1927, the 300th anniversary of Luis de Góngora y Argote's death was commemorated. Poets across the nation paid tribute to him, much like they had for Lope, Quevedo, and Calderón. For Miguel Hernández, a newcomer to literary circles, this event solidified his vocation. Many analysts observe a temporary influence of Góngora in Hernández's early work, *Perito en Lunas*. However, Hernández did not merely imitate. He discovered a profound resonance with the richness of the Baroque language. Like Góngora before him, he amplified the meaning of words, lending even greater power to his writing. During this period, Hernández achieved success where his contemporaries faltered. He revitalized old trends with the same vigor they possessed in their original creation.

A Perfectionist's Path: Refinement and Versatility

The subsequent stage of Hernández's career was marked by the continuous publication of his works. He was a perfectionist, meticulously refining his craft. He even corrected some of his verses in later editions. A born perfectionist, he drew upon classical traditions, incorporating the styles of Quevedo and Garcilaso while exploring a wide variety of themes. From the complexities of love and sex to the nuances of language, his poetry also encompassed social and political commentary. Already recognized as a master of language, this period reveals the emergence of the mature poet.

War, Imprisonment, and the Pinnacle of Poetry

This era represents the peak of his poetic prowess. Despite his meticulous nature, he did not abandon journalism during the war. He always understood the distinction between the two, ultimately choosing to pursue his poetic vocation. His verses from this time are intensely polemical, resembling artistic compositions that achieve a near-perfect balance of objectivity, although this is not entirely true. They possess even greater merit considering the conditions under which they were written, sometimes revealing an intensely passionate emotion, yet always maintaining formal integrity.

• Atrocious conditions (war, imprisonment, extraditions) fostered a very resilient Miguel.
• This period brings him closer to a maturity and wisdom typically associated with someone much older than 30.
• He rediscovers the simplicity of popular poetry.
• His work is highly aesthetic.
• He was a master of counterpoint and a tamer of the Baroque.
• He opts for writing with his classic rhyming octosyllable verse.

Miguel Hernández departed this world humbly, without complaint and with a clear conscience. However, as expressed in one of his last verses, he would have preferred not to die, affirming the survival of the species. A true genius.

The Brilliant Epilogue of a Generation

Literary historians often group authors into well-known generations. While Miguel Hernández wrote prolifically well into his thirties, coinciding with the most renowned writers of the Generation of '27, certain traits and circumstances set him apart from this group, despite his age and friendships suggesting he could easily have been a member. Among his works, we find verses that rival the finest *coplas manriqueñas* in Spanish poetry. Esteemed authors like Dámaso Alonso recognized the exceptional value of his work. They considered Miguel Hernández, undoubtedly a poetic genius, to be the brilliant epilogue of the Generation of '27.