Spanish Literary Evolution: Postwar Poetry and Theater

Poetry in the Postwar Period

• Existential Poetry

  • Themes: Loneliness, anguish, love.
  • Authors: Luis Rosales (religious poetry), Luis Alonso (Sons of Life), Blas Otero (Angel Human Beast).

• Postismo

  • Author: Carlos Edmundo de Ory.
  • Vanguard characteristics: Playfulness, creative freedom.

• Cántico Group

  • Imitated the Generation of '27 (aesthetic perfection).
  • Authors: Pablo García Baena, Ricardo Molina.

Poetry of the 1960s

• Synthesis between existential poetry and social poetry.
• Poetic renewal.
• Authors: Claudio Rodríguez, Jaime Gil de Biedma, José Manuel Caballero Bonald.

Poetry of the Novísimos (Last Things)

• Anthology: Nueve novísimos poetas españoles by José María Castellet.
• Allusions to movies or comic books.
• Authors: Pere Gimferrer, Leopoldo María Panero.

• Other Poetic Tendencies

  • Culturalism: Themes from classical literature and art.

Contemporary Spanish Poetry (Since 1975)

• Poetry of Experience

  • Tells personal anecdotes, uses simple language.
  • Author: Luis García Montero.

• Anti-realist Poetry

  • Emphasizes logic and rational thought as a way of knowing mystery.
  • Authors: José Ángel Valente, Antonio Gamoneda.

Spanish Theater in the 1950s and 1960s

Closely watched by censors during the Francoist era.

• Existential Theater

  • Features characters tormented by anxiety and solitude.
  • Author: Antonio Buero Vallejo (Historia de una escalera).

• Comic Theater

  • Offers a disillusioned view of life, but provides humor for audiences needing entertainment and eager to forget daily difficulties.
  • Authors: Enrique Jardiel Poncela, Miguel Mihura (social critic).

• Social Theater

  • Depicts injustices and lack of freedom.
  • Authors: Alfonso Sastre, Lauro Olmo, Antonio Buero Vallejo.

Experimental Theater of the 1970s

Conveys social criticism while encouraging audience participation and emphasizing dramatic staging, actors' body language, music, and lighting.

• Groups: Els Joglars, Los Goliardos.
• Author: Antonio Buero Vallejo (El sueño de la razón).

Contemporary Spanish Theater

• Competes with film and commercial interests.
• Notable groups: La Fura dels Baus (known for performances outside traditional theaters).
• Realistic trend: Fernando Fernán Gómez (Las bicicletas son para el verano).