Neoclassical Literature in Spain: Poetry, Theater, and Essay

Neoclassical Poetry

Neoclassical poetry values neat verse and didacticism, avoiding excess or intimate deviation. Poems in this style often take the form of a fable, with a satirical intent, and a proper way to implement their ideal. Verses are correct and devoid of strong emotion.

Themes

Neoclassical poetry focuses on immediate reality and traditional themes, drawing inspiration from classic storytellers like Aesop, or modern ones.

Representative Authors

• Samaniego (Moral Fables): Addresses various issues and aspects of traditional morality (avarice, lies, etc.). His tone and language vary, but his poems are didactic, with an easy and smooth verse (e.g., *The Cicada and the Ant*, *The Flies*, *The Fox and the Bust*).
• Iriarte (Literary Fables): Pedagogical purpose; his lines are less brilliant than Samaniego's, but with greater metrical variety (e.g., *The Flautist Donkey*, *The Monkey*).
• Meléndez Valdés: In the lyrical mediocrity of the 18th century, his work shows pre-Romantic tones. His verses and poems have pastoral guidance, and moral and philosophical themes.
  • Bucolic Verses: Present an idealized nature, with a friendly tone, resolved with delicate lyricism and elegance, full of love and sensuality (e.g., *Odes to Lisi*).
  • Philosophical Poems: Charged with moral issues and solemnity, typical of the time's rhetoric, showing enlightened ideas and concerns. He revisits themes and forms of cultured romances.

Theater

L. F. Moratín

Highlights of works in verse include *La Mojigata* (*The Prude*) and in prose *El sí de las niñas* (*The Maidens' Consent*) and *La comedia nueva o El café* (*The New Comedy or The Coffee*). His comedies adhere to the rules of good taste (like that of the three unities). His works have an educational and moral background. Style is carefully crafted. He performs one of his favorite themes: the freedom of women.

Thinking and Essay

• José Cadalso:
  • Noches lúgubres (*Dismal Nights*): Consists of prose dialogues and monologues expressing proto-Romantic themes for three nights in a sepulchral and tetric environment, filled with pre-Romantic motifs. It presents pessimistic meditations on aspects of life, and its style is close to poetic language.
  • Cartas marruecas (*Moroccan Letters*): His most important work. It is a critique of Spain with a satirical and serious style, addressing the evils that led Spain to decline and proposing solutions.
• B. J. Feijoo: The best essayist of the first half of the 18th century. His thought and ideas are reflected in volumes of his *Teatro crítico universal* (*Universal Critical Theater*), and his *Eruditas y curiosas* (*Learned and Curious Letters*).
  • He addresses many topics and issues, criticizing scholastic edges, the need to study the natural sciences, and also addresses issues related to literature and moral theology. He represents an enlightened and rational knowledge, combined with an acute critical sense and simple, clear language. He wants to show the country's ills that impede progress.
• G. M. de Jovellanos: Actively practiced politics in the second half of the 18th century. He wrote poems with a moral and patriotic character, and some dramatic pieces. His main works are essays centered on the problems of Spain. He reflects on the situation, analyzes the problems, strongly advocates for reform and modernity, and proposes feasible solutions. His prose is sober, elegant, and fluid, not devoid of literary value.