Miguel Hernández: Poetic Evolution and Key Works

Miguel Hernández: A Poetic Journey

First Poetic Stage (1933-1936)

During this period (1933-1936), Miguel Hernández's lyrical production is characterized by the pursuit of poetic language itself and the significant influence of Ramón Sijé. This stage includes notable works such as Perito en lunas and El rayo que no cesa.

Perito en lunas (1933)

Perito en lunas is Miguel Hernández's first published book (1933). It comprises 42 poems, primarily in octavas reales. This collection belongs to Hernández's neogongorist phase, transforming everyday objects into art and incorporating the genre of the riddle.

El rayo que no cesa (1936)

Published in 1936, El rayo que no cesa explores the central theme of an unfulfilled love. Moral standards prevent the poet from fully accessing the erotic passion he feels for his beloved.

In this volume, the symbol of lightning transmits the idea of a consuming fire that engulfs the lover, simultaneously suggesting potential injury. The conception of love as torture evokes themes of destruction and death. This tragic sensibility is sometimes linked to the figure of the bull, representing virility, passion, and liberty intertwined with death.

El rayo que no cesa stands out for the perfection of its sonnets, further emphasizing the collection's central theme of a love that cannot be fully realized due to societal moral constraints.

Second Poetic Stage (1937-1941)

The second stage of Miguel Hernández's poetic production spans from 1937 to 1941. This period is profoundly marked by the influence of Pablo Neruda and his conception of poetry committed to reality, often termed 'impure' poetry.

Viento del pueblo (1937)

Viento del pueblo, published in 1937, is dedicated to Vicente Aleixandre. This collection reflects the poet's commitment to social and political realities, influenced by Neruda's 'impure' poetry.

El hombre acecha

In El hombre acecha, the intense passion seen in earlier works is tempered by disappointment and sadness due to the unfolding events of the Spanish Civil War. The war reveals its most terrible and bloody aspects, uncovering the true, often brutal, nature of humanity. The human being becomes animalistic in this stark portrayal.

Cancionero y romancero de ausencias (1938-1941)

This collection, composed during Miguel Hernández's imprisonment, revolves around the profound sense of absence. He mourns the death of his first son, the separation from his second son and wife whom he cannot see, and the loss of his own liberty. His verses are imbued with deep pain. One of the most poignant poems from this period is 'Nanas de la cebolla,' which powerfully highlights the theme of hunger.

In these compositions, Miguel Hernández remembers the war, but amidst the hatred and suffering, he also expresses enduring themes of love and hope, particularly his love for his son and wife.