Spanish Lyric Poetry Evolution: 1940-1970

Miguel Hernández (1910-1942)

Four stages are established in his poetry:

• a) A stage characterized by Baroque-tone poetry.
• b) In 1936, he published "El rayo que no cesa" ("The Unending Lightning").
• c) During the war, a battle poetry that seeks to serve the Republican cause and published "Viento del pueblo" ("Wind of the People"). These are poems that mourn the death of Lorca. Miguel Hernández: "Man is a hunter."
• d) Naked and deep poetry.

1940s: Poetry and Literary Magazines

Poetry developed around three magazines: "Escorial," "Garcilaso," and "Espadaña."

• "Escorial": Poets of the Generation of '36 met, opting for intimate poetry with traditional lyrical themes: love, death, land, and landscape.
• "Garcilaso": Officially supported the Franco regime, consolidating poetry that served the dictatorship's purposes. Key themes were God and country, the Castilian landscape, and love. Aesthetician and escapist poetry.
• "Espadaña": A number of writers reacted against the aesthetic vision and evasion, demanding poetry with more human and existential content, reflecting the heartbreaking reality of the time in Spain. The idea of poetry as communication, seeking to share common problems with the reader, was reborn. Historical and existential angst. Featured poet: José Hierro.

Vanguardism

Some writers attempted to connect with the Generation of '27 and Surrealism. In Surrealist poetry, desire aims to become the motor of the world. The main stylistic devices are chained metaphors based on dreams, hallucinations, and the subconscious.

1950s: Social Poetry

Blas de Otero and Gabriel Celaya, poets who evolved from their previous period of existential angst, placed human problems in a social context. Many who were previously part of "uprooted poetry" followed their wake. Themes included Spain, social injustice, alienation, the world of work, and the desire for freedom and a better world. Stylistically, this poetry uses clear, colloquial language.

1960s: New Voices

Notable poets: Jaime Gil de Biedma, Francisco Brines, Claudio Rodríguez, among others.

Common themes:

• Reflection on the passing of time.
• Love as a conduit of eroticism and friendship.
• Reflection on poetic creation.
• Some poems address social and political issues, but treated with irony, a certain distance, greater self-criticism, and stylistic perfection.

Conversational language is very visible in their style. Each poet sought a personal, new, more solid language. They did not engage in avant-garde experiments. They often resorted to the use of irony.

1970s: The Novísimos

Main features:

• Concern for form and language.
• Breaking with traditional culture and finding inspiration in the world of film, sports, television, comics, and music.
• Incorporation of highly educated references to foreign works and authors.