Romanticism in Spanish Literature: Authors and Works

Romantic Theater

Romanticism pretended to be a drama that could shake the audience. People are represented by protagonists with a hovering mystery.

Characteristics

• The focus is usually love.
• The outcome combines the tragic and the comical, verse and prose.
• Use of measured action.
• The action transpires in different places and scenarios, and temporal skips can occur.
• Secondary actions.

The Student of Salamanca

Félix de Montemar, a Don Juan, seduces and abandons Elvira, provoking her death. Following a mysterious woman, Félix contemplates his own funeral and is brought to the "somber mansion". There, he discovers the lady is but the skeleton of Elvira, with whom Montemar marries before dying.

José de Espronceda

(1808-1842) was born in Almendralejo (Badajoz). His defense of liberal ideas led to exile in Lisbon in 1827. He fell in love with Teresa, with whom he traveled to England and France before returning to Spain in 1833. Their relationship suffered several ruptures, and finally, she abandoned him. In 1839, Teresa passed away, and the poet died three years later.

Post-Romanticism

Expression of emotions and personal sentiments with a reflection in nature.

Rosalía de Castro

Born in 1837 in Santiago de Compostela. Of melancholic personality due to her illegitimate birth, which made her feel rejected, she moved in literary circles. Her mother knew Eulogio Florentino Sanz, introducer of Heine and Bécquer. After marrying Manuel Murguía, she returned to Galicia. She died in 1885 in Padrón (A Coruña).

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

(1836-1870) was born in Seville. His surnames were Domínguez Bastida, but he adopted the Flemish ancestor's. Orphaned since childhood, he was educated by his godmother, who had a large library available. He settled in Madrid to develop his literary interests and performed various jobs, including those of a journalist.

Legends

There is a constant presence of the natural and the underworld. Characters are divided into two camps: good and evil.

Themes

• Love leads to tragic consequences.
• The expression of music as artistic perfection.
• Religion.
• The connection between love and nature.

Mariano José de Larra

(1809-1837) was born in Madrid, but his family lived in France. After returning, he devoted himself to studying law and journalism. He married in 1829, but the marriage was a failure. He maintained a relationship with Dolores Armijo, a married woman who left her lover. Disappointments in love and politics drove him to suicide at 28 years old.