Spanish Romanticism and the Poetry of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer

Characteristics of Spanish Romanticism

The Romantic movement in Spain was late, brief, and superficial, and did not bring about a significant change in mentality or political structures. The first half of the 19th century, when Romanticism emerged, was characterized by clashes between absolutism and liberalism.

Romanticism championed feelings and creative freedom. The Romantics expressed several core tenets:

• Deep Individualism: A focus on the personal self, where works express the artist's intimacy and offer a subjective view of reality.
• Dissatisfaction with the Environment: A denial of reality that led to reactions like evasion (taking refuge in fantasy worlds) and rebellion (defending marginalized groups and political causes).
• Love of Freedom: The belief that freedom is the fundamental basis of romantic thought.
• Connection to Nature: The landscape is often portrayed as a reflection of the author's mood.
• Sympathy for Nationalism: A strong appreciation for the unique features and traditions of one's country.

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836-1870)

The intimate romantic lyric reached its climax late with Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro. Both favored a simple and introspective lyrical style. Bécquer and Castro are the most important poets of the transitional stage, which spanned from 1845 to 1870, and are considered part of the post-Romantic era.

Bécquer's poetic work opened the door to contemporary poetry through its intimacy, purity, sensitivity, and authenticity. The author departed from lyrical and romantic affectation, drawing inspiration from German Romantic poetry and the short, smooth musicality of Andalusian folk songs.

Legends (Leyendas)

His Legends are fantastic stories, mostly set in the Middle Ages, featuring ruined castles and churches. They often include sinister characters with great psychological intensity. In these works, Bécquer expressed intimate feelings and emotions through lyrical prose. In some legends, male characters are unable to control their feelings and take unnecessary risks for a love that ultimately has a tragic ending.

Rhymes (Rimas)

Bécquer's poetry is collected under the title Rhymes (Rimas). It is an intense and emotional form of poetry, expressed in a style that strives for perfection through formal simplicity rather than rhetorical excess. The poems are generally short, using assonance, varied verse stanzas, choruses, broken feet, and polymetry. The acoustic effect is softened by assonance and an economical use of adjectives and metaphors. According to Bécquer, his poetry arises from the evocation of feelings such as imagination, dreams, desires, and fears.