Spanish Baroque Literature: Authors and Works
Seventeenth-Century Spain: Context and Culture
The 17th century in Spain was a period marked by significant contrasts and transformations. Here are some key facts:
- The Baroque artistic movement flourished.
- Spain experienced a crisis marked by economic depletion.
- The Protestant Reformation took place.
- Society was characterized by stark contrasts, such as the coexistence of pleasure and religious devotion, wealth and misery.
Culture and Art
In philosophy, the 17th century saw the rise of rationalism, born from rigorous experimentation. In art, the emphasis was on appearances. Notable painters of this era include Diego Velázquez and Caravaggio.
Baroque: This artistic style is characterized by its dramatic expression of passion, often playing with movement and light. The Baroque is known for its spectacular nature.
Literature
Writers aimed to engage the public, particularly in theater. Authors generally sought novelty and surprise, while still drawing on Renaissance themes. Common features of Baroque literature include:
- Use of opposing concepts
- Extensive use of literary devices
- Ornamentation and wordplay
Lope de Vega
Biography
Born in Madrid in 1562, Lope de Vega led a very intense love life, fathering ten children and marrying several times. He was deeply religious and became a priest. He died in Madrid in 1636.
Poetry
His poetry includes sonnets, epistles, and eclogues. He also wrote New Art of Making Comedies. His themes often drew from the Bible and mythology, and he frequently used sonnets and hendecasyllables (eleven-syllable lines).
Another notable work is La Gatomaquia, a burlesque poem.
Narrative
- Arcadia: A pastoral work.
- The Pilgrim in His Own Country: A Byzantine-themed work.
Theater
Lope de Vega is considered the father of Spanish comedy. His works are divided into:
- Historical: Fuenteovejuna and The Knight from Olmedo.
- Traditional: The Foolish Lady and The Dog in the Manger.
Features of His Plays
- Blends tragedy and comedy, nobility and commoners.
- Breaks the classical unities of time, place, and action.
- Mixes different verse forms.
- Aims to entertain the audience.
Characters
His characters are relatable and complex. Common character types include:
- The King: Represents justice and honor.
- The Gallant: Brave, honorable, and prone to jealousy.
- The Lady: Beautiful, noble, and deeply in love.
- The “Gracioso”: The gallant’s servant, often interested in money.
- The Powerful: Unjust and often an obstacle between the king and his subjects.
- The “Villain”: An inhabitant of the village.
Other Notable Authors
Luis de Góngora
A leading figure of Culteranismo, known for his complex and ornate style.
Biography
Born and died in Córdoba, he became a priest and chaplain to Philip III. He was a devoted lover of literature and a rival of Lope de Vega and Francisco de Quevedo.
Work
His poetry has two facets: one simple and the other more obscure and complex. He employed both popular forms like the letrilla and romance, often for critical purposes, and more cultured forms. His sonnets often dealt with everyday life, love, and the motherland. Major works include Solitude, Panegyric to the Duke of Lerma, and Fable of Polyphemus and Galatea.
Tirso de Molina
Pen name of Gabriel Téllez, a friar who was banned from writing due to his ideas during the reign of Felipe IV.
Work
Known for his humor and well-developed female characters. His works include:
- Historical Drama: Prudence in Woman.
- Religious: Characters from the Bible.
- Moral: The Trickster of Seville and The Stone Guest, which introduced the myth of Don Juan.
- Comedies of Intrigue: Doctor Love.
Calderón de la Barca
Born in Madrid, he was the official playwright of the court and later became a priest. He is known for his realistic, poetic, and symbolic style.
Works
- Cloak and Dagger Comedies: The Phantom Lady.
- Mystery Plays: The Great Theater of the World.
- Philosophical Dramas: Life is a Dream.
- Dramas of Honor: The Mayor of Zalamea.
The Baroque period laid the foundation for modern drama, with the emergence of theatrical companies and the roles of author, director, and producer.
Francisco de Quevedo
Lived in the court and supported the Duke of Osuna. He was imprisoned and died in Villanueva de los Infantes.
Work
His work is based on opposites.
Poetry
- Love Poetry: Love Constant Beyond Death.
- Satirical Poetry: Mocking everyone.
- Religious Poetry: Pessimistic in tone.
- Romancero: Themes include hunting, bulls, etc.
Prose
- The Cradle and the Grave
- El Buscón
- The Dreams
- The Four Pests of the World
Style
He used all verse forms and figures of speech, such as metaphor, hyperbole, and antithesis.
Miguel de Cervantes
Biography
Born in 1547 in Alcalá de Henares, he participated in the Battle of Lepanto, was captured by the Turks, and spent five years as a prisoner in Algiers. He faced many economic hardships, was imprisoned again, and died in poverty on April 23, 1616.
Theater
Influenced by Greek drama, comedy, and appetizers.
- Greek Influence: The Siege of Numantia, The Bagnios of Algiers.
- Appetizer: The Altarpiece of Wonders.
Poetry
Initially influenced by Garcilaso de la Vega, later by traditional poetry. One of his poems is Journey to Parnassus.
Narrative
His novels can be categorized as:
- Pastoral: La Galatea, featuring noble protagonists dressed as shepherds, written in verse with a Renaissance tendency.
- Short Story: Exemplary Novels, a mixture of didactic and new genres, proposing a role model and creating a literary model using the novella.
- Byzantine Novel: Characters experience many adventures, emphasizing freedom of creation and fiction. Example: The Trials of Persiles and Sigismunda.
Don Quixote
Publication Details
The first part was published in 1605. While Cervantes was in Madrid working on the second part, a certain Avellaneda attempted to publish his own sequel. Cervantes then hurried to finish and published the second part in 1615.
Structure, Space, and Time
- Structure: Related to the number of Don Quixote’s sallies: the first sally covers chapters 1-6, the second sally covers chapters 7-52, and the third sally comprises the entire second part.
- Space: Sierra Morena, Barcelona, and other unnamed locations.
- Time: Between the 16th and 17th centuries (with some contradictions).
Style
He uses proverbs, sayings, and various themes (pastoral, chivalric, picaresque). Irony is a prominent feature.
Themes
Critical of chivalric romances and the poor situation in Spain. Explores themes of madness as truth and freedom, and the idea that the world is a stage.
Characters
- Don Quixote: The protagonist, an idealist who defends good and his lady love.
- Sancho Panza: Don Quixote’s opposite, realistic and fearful.
- Various secondary characters also appear.