Spanish Literary Movements & Theater: Early 20th Century
Modernism in Hispanoamérica: A Literary Renovation
Modernism emerged in Hispanoamérica with Rubén Darío and his seminal work, Azul, marking the beginning of a profound literary renovation.
Origins of Modernism: French Poetic Schools
The origins of Modernism highlight two influential schools of poetry cultivated in France:
- Parnassianism: Emphasized beauty, discipline, balance, and rigor. Notable figures include Théophile Gautier.
- Symbolism: Advocated for poetry guided by music and intimacy, using suggestions conveyed through symbols. Key figures include Paul Verlaine.
Goals and Influence of Modernism
The primary goal of Modernism was the pursuit of beauty alongside an escape from reality, leading to an absolute renewal of literary expression. The influence of Rubén Darío extended to numerous poets, such as Antonio Machado, Francisco Villaespesa, and Juan Ramón Jiménez, as well as playwrights like Eduardo Marquina and Ramón María del Valle-Inclán.
The Generation of ’98: Spanish Literary Renewal
The Generation of ’98 was a significant group of writers including Miguel de Unamuno, Pío Baroja, Ramón María del Valle-Inclán, Ramiro de Maeztu, Jacinto Benavente, Rubén Darío, and Azorín. These authors shared four common characteristics:
- The Religious Question: A deep concern for the meaning of life, the destiny of humanity after death, and a clear nostalgia for the faith of simple people.
- The Issue of Spain: All felt Spain’s pain, yet loved her deeply. Their analysis of the national reality was made from different points of view:
- Criticism of Spanish society, especially the ruling classes.
- Castile was regarded as the essence and epitome of the Spanish nation.
- A critical vision of national history, advocating for the concept of intrahistory.
- Belief that the best of the Spanish spirit resided in the medieval tradition.
- Distance from Realism: A departure from the Realist generation, aligning instead with European irrationalism and subjectivism.
- Language: The Generation of ’98 employed a natural and cultivated anti-rhetorical language.
Spanish Theater: Early 20th Century Trends
Various circumstances explain the separation between commercially successful theater and innovative theater, which often struggled to reach the public:
- Theater requires stage representation for virtual communication, yet much of it remained dramatic literature.
- Theater was heavily dependent on commercial mechanisms.
- Theater was considered more suitable than novels or poetry for the transmission of ideas.
However, there was little originality to highlight in Spanish theater during the first third of the 20th century.
Commercial Theater Successes
Three main streams dominated commercial theater before the Civil War:
- Bourgeois Comedy: Also known as Benaventine comedy, prominently featuring Jacinto Benavente. This genre starred characters from the upper class, exploring conflicts typical of this social group.
- Poetic/Historical Theater: Also called modern theater or drama in verse. Key figures include Francisco Villaespesa and Eduardo Marquina.
- Comic Theater: A genre favored by popular audiences. Three subgenres stood out:
- Farce: With Carlos Arniches.
- Tragicomedy and Grotesque: A comical subgenre based on puns and parodies, often blending various theatrical styles. Pedro Muñoz Seca was a notable figure.
Innovative Spanish Theater
This period saw significant experimentation, such as the dramatic esperpento by Ramón María del Valle-Inclán and the tragedies of Federico García Lorca. Notable attempts at renewal include those by Ramón Gómez de la Serna and the Generation of ’27, featuring playwrights like Rafael Alberti, Pedro Salinas, and Max Aub.