18th Century Spanish Poetry: Post-Baroque to Neoclassical

Posted on Jan 7, 2025 in Latin

The 18th century saw a shift in Spanish poetry, moving from the post-Baroque style to Neoclassicism. Post-Baroque poetry, prominent in the first half of the century, mirrored the culteranismo concepts of Quevedo and Góngora. Key themes included death and time, characterized by exaggerated hipérbatos, extravagant metaphors, and wordplay. Notable figures include Diego de Torres Villarroel and Gerardo Eugenio Lobo.

As the century progressed, a new style emerged where poetic inspiration was coupled with knowledge and application of learned rules. Lyrical poetry saw a Rococo revival, with subgenres like:

• Bucolic (pastoral)
• Sensualist, including idyllic (short pastoral poems and love affairs) and Anacreontic (odes celebrating love, wine, and nature)

The Neoclassical trend, led by Meléndez Valdés, introduced new subgenres:

• Elegies, such as Leandro Fernández de Moratín’s “Elegy to the Muses”
• Satires, criticizing vices and bad habits
• Epistles (letters in verse), exemplified by Jovellanos
• Didactic poetry, including fables by Samaniego and Iriarte, focusing on literary creation rules

This period marks a significant transition in Spanish poetry, reflecting changing artistic and intellectual currents.