Spanish Golden Age: Literary Styles, Authors, and Genres

Spanish Baroque Literature: Key Styles

The 17th century in Spain was marked by two prominent literary styles within the Baroque period: Culteranismo and Conceptismo.

Culteranismo: The Style of Luis de Góngora

Culteranismo, exemplified by Luis de Góngora, emphasizes the expression of form. It is characterized by:

• The use of educated language, often close to Latin.
• Elaborate metaphors and literary hyperbaton.
• The invention of new words or the use of unusual vocabulary (neologisms).

Conceptismo: The Style of Francisco de Quevedo

In contrast, Conceptismo, associated with Francisco de Quevedo, tends towards concision and expressive density. Its features include:

• Ellipsis and hyperbole.
• Antithesis and paradoxes.

Prose genres of the period included Byzantine novels, allegorical novels, novels of manners, and picaresque novels.

Key Authors of the Spanish Golden Age

Luis de Góngora: Master of Culteranismo

Luis de Góngora, a key poet of Culteranismo, wrote ballads and letrillas. His major works include:

• Sonnets
• Fábula de Polifemo y Galatea
• Soledades

Francisco de Quevedo: Conceptismo and Beyond

Francisco de Quevedo demonstrated a complete mastery of language and its resources. His poetry is often classified into:

• Love poetry (e.g.,"Cerrar podrá mis ojos la postrera sombr").
• Metaphysical poetry, addressing themes of anguish, time, and death (e.g.,"Ayer se fue, mañana no ha llegad").
• Satirical poetry, critiquing societal characters, myths, stories, and heroes.

His notable prose works include Los Sueños and El Buscón.

Golden Age Spanish Theater: Characteristics

Spanish Golden Age theater often disregarded the classical three unities of place, action, and time. Plays were typically structured in three acts, incorporating both comic and serious elements. The language was adapted to each character's social standing, and popular songs and dances were often included.

Themes were popular and national in character, frequently exploring love, jealousy, honor, and religious drama. Plays often defended the monarchy and social order, featuring Spanish military figures and upholding Catholic values. Stock characters included:

• The King
• The noble knight
• The old man
• The lady
• The lover
• The villain
• The gracioso (a witty servant)

Lope de Vega: The Phoenix of Wits

Lope de Vega is considered the creator of the Comedia Nueva. His theatrical works include:

• Fuenteovejuna
• El mejor alcalde, el Rey
• El perro del hortelano
• La dama boba

Lope de Vega's Diverse Literary Forms

Beyond theater, Lope de Vega also produced popular lyrical poetry, including ballads and epic poems. His narrative works include the pastoral novel La Arcadia, and he wrote prose dialogues such as Dorotea.

Tirso de Molina: Creator of Don Juan

Tirso de Molina is known for his influential play El burlador de Sevilla y convidado de piedra, which introduced the character of Don Juan.

Calderón de la Barca: Philosophical Drama

Calderón de la Barca's notable works include:

• El alcalde de Zalamea
• La vida es sueño
• El gran teatro del mundo

Understanding Narrative Texts

Narrative texts feature various types of narrators:

• Omniscient (third person)
• Absent
• First person

They typically include multiple characters, both main and secondary. The primary purpose is to recount facts and adventures of the characters within a defined space and time (internal and external). Their structure usually follows an exposition, development, and denouement.

Characteristics of Descriptive Texts

Descriptive texts aim to portray subjects objectively, often following a logical order (e.g., spatial, temporal).

Expository Texts: Informing and Explaining

Expository texts are designed to inform. They are characterized by clarity and a structured format, typically comprising an introduction, development, and conclusion.

Modern Communication Media

Modern communication media include the press, television, internet, and radio. Their key characteristics are:

• Universality
• Immediacy
• Diversity