18th-Century Spanish Literature: Neoclassicism

Posted on Sep 26, 2024 in Latin

Prose

Characteristics

  • Dissemination of Enlightenment ideas, contributing to reform.
  • Books on multiple disciplines (science, archaeology, etc.).
  • First newspapers and publications.
  • Limited prose fiction.

Authors

Diego de Torres Villarroel
  • Follower of Quevedo.
  • Criticized doctors, civil servants, nobles, etc.
  • Autobiography: Life, Descent, Birth, Upbringing and Adventures of Doctor Don Diego de Torres Villarroel.
Francisco Isla
  • Ridiculed Baroque ecclesiastical rhetoric.
  • Satirical novel: History of the Famous Preacher Friar Gerund of Campoamor, alias Zotes.
Benito Jerónimo Feijoo
  • Essayist and prototypical Enlightenment figure.
  • Applied reason and experience as the basis of science and modern thought.
  • Teatro crítico universal, erudite letters.
Ignacio Luzán
  • Established requirements for Neoclassical works.
  • Author of an important 18th-century poetics.
José Cadalso
  • Influenced by 16th-century poetry, Quevedo, Góngora, and Greco-Roman classics.
  • Drove the Rococo movement.
  • Sobriety and restraint, rejection of Baroque rhetoric.
  • The Pseudo-Intellectuals: satire on superficial education.
  • Mournful Nights: philosophical dialogue where the protagonist, distraught by his lover’s death, tries to exhume her body.
  • Moroccan Letters.
Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos
  • Wide-ranging work: poetry, drama (Pelayo tragedy and The Honest Offender comedy), and prose.
  • Report on Public Entertainment: advocated for entertainment’s inclusion in Enlightenment plans.
  • Report on the Agrarian Law: analyzed the backwardness of Spanish agriculture.
  • Report on Public Education: showed pedagogical concern, emphasized experimental teaching methods.

Poetry

Characteristics

Early 18th Century: Post-Baroque Poetry
  • Progressive simplification.
  • Use of short verses and stanzas.
  • Themes of nature, love, and beauty.
  • Rococo influence.
  • Key Authors: Nicolás Fernández de Moratín, José Cadalso, Vicente García de la Huerta.
Late 18th Century: Neoclassical/Enlightenment Poetry
  • Inspired by Garcilaso and Greco-Roman classics.
  • Themes of social reform, arts and sciences, universal harmony, friendship, rejection of ignorance, human perfectibility through education.
  • Anacreontic style: short, playful compositions exalting love and sensual pleasures.
  • Key Authors: Cándido María Trigueros, Tomás de Iriarte, Félix María Samaniego, Leandro Fernández de Moratín, Juan Meléndez Valdés.
Pre-Romantic Poetry (Transition to 19th Century)
  • Social tone.
  • Blend of sentimentality and reason.
  • Key Authors: José Álvarez Cienfuegos, Manuel José Quintana, José Marchena, José Blanco White, Manuel María de Arjona, Alberto Lista.
Juan Meléndez Valdés
  • Cultivated the Anacreontic genre.
  • Sentimentality, emotional and tender tone.
  • Foreshadowed Romantic sensibility.
  • Themes of friendship, parental love, and philosophical issues.
  • Varied metrics (ballads, sonnets, etc.).
  • Artful language, delicate use of diminutives.
  • Departure from Baroque excesses.

Theater

Characteristics

  • First half of the century: Post-Baroque theater, poor quality, repetitive themes, imitation.
  • Neoclassical theater challenged the Post-Baroque style.
  • Theater as a platform for Enlightenment ideals.
  • Popular genres: Farce and sentimental comedy.
  • Farce: short, comical pieces presented between acts (like interludes). Key author: Ramón de la Cruz.
  • Sentimental comedy: blend of tragedy and comedy, realistic, critiqued bourgeois values. Key author: Leandro Fernández de Moratín.
  • Few Spanish tragedies.
  • Moratinian comedy: adhered to the three unities, used octosyllabic verse or prose, happy endings.

Authors

  • Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos (Pelayo)
  • Vicente García de la Huerta (Raquel)
  • José Cadalso (Sancho García, Count of Castile)
  • Joaquín López de Ayala (Numancia Destroyed)
  • Nicolás Fernández de Moratín (Guzmán el Bueno)
Leandro Fernández de Moratín
  • Son of Nicolás Fernández de Moratín.
  • Excelled in theater.
  • Notable satirical poetry.
  • Classical balance, expressive restraint, traditional forms.
  • Didacticism in his theater.
  • Adherence to classical rules (three unities).
  • The Young Maidens and The Old Man and the Young Girl: critique of arranged marriages.
  • The Coffee House and The New Comedy: critique of pompous plays.
  • The Prudish Woman: critique of false piety and religious hypocrisy.