Spanish Post-Romanticism: Castro & Bécquer's Legacy

Spanish Post-Romanticism: A Literary Movement

In the second half of the nineteenth century, the influence of German poetry, with its rhythmic qualities and popular lyrical resources, arrived in Spain. This culminated in the movement known as Post-Romanticism, characterized by an intimate poetry that expressed deep emotions and feelings, often reflecting on nature.

Rosalía de Castro (1837-1885)

Born in 1837 in Santiago de Compostela, Rosalía de Castro possessed a melancholic personality and moved within prominent literary circles, where she met Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer. She died in 1885, having played a key role in the development of Galician literature.

Major Works by Rosalía de Castro:

• Cantares Gallegos: Written in Galician, this collection uses traditional forms to evoke and preserve the customs of her homeland.
• Follas Novas: Also composed in Galician, these poems reflect profound personal emotions, particularly the pain of existence. The collection includes verses dedicated to the memory of her land.
• En las Orillas del Sar: Written in Castilian, this work reflects her troubled feelings, focusing on themes of loneliness and death.

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836-1870)

Born in Seville in 1836, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer was orphaned as a child and educated by his godmother, who owned an extensive library. He later settled in Madrid to pursue his literary interests and worked as a journalist. His poetic production marks the beginning of modern Spanish poetry.

Bécquer's Poetic Legacy: Rimas

The Rimas comprise 79 compositions designed to evoke emotions. They are characterized by their brevity, intimacy, and musicality. Constructed as monologues and dialogues, they are often addressed to a 'you,' typically a woman. These poems were published posthumously by a group of the poet's friends and are grouped by subject:

• Poetry and Creation: A series of rhymes dedicated to the mystery of poetic creation itself.
• Love: Other poems focus on the trajectory of love, from initial encounter to enmity and final separation, exploring the consistent lyrical self's experience of loneliness.
• Existential Pain: Some compositions are devoted to the painful feeling of existence and reflections on death.

Bécquer's Prose: Legends

Bécquer is also the author of Legends, a series of prose narratives set in various parts of Spain and located in remote or immediate past times. There is a constant presence of the supernatural world and characters divided into two camps: good and evil. The main themes include love with tragic consequences, music as an expression of artistic perfection, and religion.