Romanticism in Literature: Key Themes and Authors

Romanticism: Subjectivism and Identity

Romanticism emphasizes subjectivism and self-centeredness, focusing on the political self and the rejection of established rules in favor of individual identity.

The Role of Nature and Spirituality

Religiosity is viewed as an intimate experience. The dynamic nature of the movement represents shifting moods and embraces irrationalism, giving value to the supernatural. Romanticism often seeks escape into other worlds, where love serves as a recurring theme that provides meaning to life.

Characteristics of Romantic Lyric Poetry

Romantic lyric poetry is defined by themes of love—often involving pain and disappointment—and a yearning for freedom. Verse is utilized to express intense emotions, frequently employing traditional forms like the letrilla and the octava, alongside ballads and songs. Poets convey their feelings through symbols, exclamations, and intimate language.

Spanish Romantic Lyric

Spanish Romanticism is divided into two distinct trends:

• Conservative: Represented by Zorrilla and the Duke of Rivas.
• Liberal: Represented by Espronceda and Larra.

Espronceda: The Liberal Prototype

Espronceda embodies the prototype of exalted love. His life was deeply influenced by Teresa Mancha, to whom he dedicated his famous Song to Teresa. His notable works include:

• Sancho Saldaña: A historical novel.
• The Student of Salamanca: Tells the macabre story of Félix de Montemar.
• The Devil World: The story of an old man who becomes young again; includes the Song to Teresa.
• Lyrics: Features marginal characters representing freedom and passion, such as the Song of the Pirate.

Late Romanticism: Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro

Lyric poetry in the first half of the 19th century evolved into late Romanticism, characterized by a melancholy and pessimistic vision, led by Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro.

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

Bécquer is a primary representative of Romantic poetry, known for short poems born from deep feeling. His work is collected in Rhymes, which contains 78 poems:

• I to XI: Reflections on the nature of poetry.
• XII to XXIX: The pervasive theme of love.
• XXX to LI: The theme of disappointment.
• LII to LXXVII: Focuses on loneliness and death.

Beyond love, his work explores nature and the ideal, utilizing assonance, anaphora, and parallelism.

Rosalía de Castro

A prominent Galician writer, Rosalía de Castro’s work focuses on pain, death, and solitude. She wrote poetry in both Galician (Follas Novas) and Castilian (On the Banks of the Sar), utilizing innovative rhetoric and renewed meters.