Spanish Romantic Drama and Literature: Authors and Themes

Spanish Romantic Drama

From the beginning of the seventeenth century, the public preferred Segia. After the limited success of comedies, between 1834 and 1844, the drama became the preferred genre. It rejected the rule of the three unities, blending several actions, times, and places. It became fashionable to use characters and themes from Spain's Golden Age, with tragic love as a central theme. The protagonists are often heroic figures.

Principal Authors

• Francisco Martínez de la Rosa
• Duque of Rivas - Don Álvaro or the Force of Fate
• Antonio García Gutiérrez - The Old Smallpox
• Ventura de la Vega - The Man in the World
• Mariano José de Larra - Macías
• José de Espronceda - Blanca de Borbón
• Juan Eugenio Hartzenbusch - The Lovers of Teruel
• José Zorrilla - The Unconfessed Traitor and Martyr

José de Espronceda

José de Espronceda is the representative of liberal Romanticism. He wrote Sancho Saldaña. His lyric poetry is composed of two types of works:

1. Compositions with Social and Political Character

   These are called "songs," in which he idealizes marginalized characters of society. These characters live with their own moral code and symbolize freedom (e.g., "Pirate Song").

2. Narrative Poems

   Two narrative poems are conserved: The Devil World and The Student of Salamanca.

   • The Devil World

     A narrative poem of more than 8,000 verses, left unfinished. Espronceda acted with creative freedom, reciting narrative poetry that was a literary macro-genre.

   • The Student of Salamanca

     A narrative poem of nearly 2,000 polymetric verses. A legend is presented as if the author had heard it. The action begins in Salamanca, which seems not to be described, but rather, the setting is transformed as the work progresses, and the city becomes a strange, shrouded place. The work reflects Espronceda's unexpected, romantic, and exalted personality, although it is also very effective.

Romantic Mentality

• Subjectivism and Individualism

  Feelings and desires dominate literature. The yearning for freedom becomes a major ideal of life. Love acquires tragic overtones as it faces barriers or is unattainable. However, it is also posed as a force to which man inevitably tends.

• Projection in Nature

  As a result of subjective dominance, writers naturally look to the landscape for refuge. The landscape reflects their tormented moods, which is why dark environments are preferred.

• Clash with Reality

  Romantic idealism produces a clash between wishes and reality, which creates disappointment and distress. To avoid present circumstances, Romantics evaded the past and exotic places, sometimes even resorting to suicide.

• The Supernatural and Mysterious

  Death, burial, and night scenes are very frequent in Romantic literature. Romantics are attracted to everything that reason cannot explain. The world and destiny are an unknown to which one must respond.

• Popular and Ancient

  Romantics host their environment and interpret it as literary manifestations, such as history, romances, and legends. They exalt language and landscape, which is the movement of nationalism and regionalism.

• Mixture of Genres

  The favorite genres of the Romantics are lyrical and dramatic because they give up and show feelings. In prose, a new genre emerges: opinion journalism. It is important not to forget that it is a time of mixed genres.

• Style

  Romanticism uses a rhetorical style.