Spanish Romanticism: Literature and Art Evolution
Romanticism: A Revolutionary Movement
Romanticism is the revolutionary movement that exalts releases and feelings in all aspects of life: society, politics, and morality. In the arts, this hymn to freedom was manifested as a break with Neoclassicism.
Francisco de Goya and the Transition
Goya, the Spanish painter (1746–1828), symbolizes the transition from Neoclassicism to a romantic sensibility.
The Triumph of Feelings Over Reason
Feelings replaced reason; Romantic works do not aspire to achieve perfect works. Instead, the deep objective used is to achieve this feeling, mystery, and creative freedom.
First Half of the Nineteenth Century
José Zorrilla (1817–1893)
Ideological aspects: National themes and the exaltation of the Spanish national past (legends).
Works: Narrative poetry including Orientales, Granada, and Leyendas.
José de Espronceda (1808–1842)
Born in Almendralejo and died in Madrid. Ideological aspects: Exaltation of freedom and denouncing hypocrisy.
Works:
- Novel: Sancho Saldaña.
- Narrative Poetry: El Estudiante de Salamanca and El Diablo Mundo.
- Songs: The Pirate, The Inmate, The Beggar, The Corsair, and The Executioner.
Second Half of the Nineteenth Century
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836–1870)
Born in Seville and died in Madrid. Intimate topics: Frustrations and existential themes, such as impossible love.
Works: Lyrical poetry known as Rimas (Rhymes).
Why is Bécquer's Poetry Modern?
- It has a very deeply personal experience.
- We are thrilled with simple words full of connotations.
- In his poetry, the feelings and emotions suggested are more important than the words themselves.
- The pace of the poems provides a soft rhythm for the ear.
- His modern poems inspired the most important Spanish-language literature.
Rosalía de Castro (1837–1885)
Born in Santiago de Compostela and died in 1885. Work: On the Banks of Sar.
The Rise of the Historical Novel
What is a historical novel? It is a story inspired by characters and events of the past.
Why did it emerge?
Authors idealized the way of life of earlier times; it was an escape from a mediocre daily reality to shelter in an idealized world.
Key Features of the Genre
The genre features heroes who are rebellious and lonely characters living a turbulent love affair. It takes place in typical romantic scenography, and the players often have a tragic ending.
Most important authors: Enrique Gil y Carrasco, Larra, and José de Espronceda.
Mariano José de Larra (1809–1837)
Born and died in Madrid. Works: Theater (Macías) and the historical novel The Youth Henry the Bereaved (El doncel de don Enrique el Doliente).