Spanish Literature: From Golden Age to Romanticism
Lope de Vega and the New Comedy
In the seventeenth century, Lope de Vega revolutionized theater with a new formula, later followed by dramatists who recognized him as a master. This formula is known as the New Comedy. Lope de Vega’s theater wasn’t solely based on classical models. For example, his play “Punishment without Revenge” is a free adaptation of Euripides’ Medea.
Several differences distinguish the New Comedy from Classical Comedy:
- Number of Events/Acts: Lope’s plays unfold over three days, while classical theater traditionally has five acts.
- Mixture of Tragic and Comic: The New Comedy features a mix of social classes—peasants, kings, and servants—unlike the classical focus on gods and kings.
- Verse and the Three Unities: While the New Comedy respects the classical unities of time, place, and action, the plays are written in verse.
Lope de Vega believed that each era has its own tastes, and what appealed to the ancient Greeks didn’t necessarily hold the same interest for seventeenth-century Spaniards.
Tirso de Molina
Unlike the dynamic Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina’s style was more restrained, with fewer surprises. He began humbly, entering the Mercedarian convent in Madrid as a young man, and later practiced in Guadalajara. The beginning of the second decade of the seventeenth century marked a happy period for him, devoted to his religious vocation, reading, theater, teaching, and friendships. During this time in Guadalajara, he was chosen for a pastoral mission to Santo Domingo in the Caribbean.
Romanticism
Romanticism expresses dissatisfaction with society through both traditionalist and revolutionary attitudes. Both perspectives reject materialistic society and seek an ideal world. Romanticism reacts against rationalism and Neoclassical rules, expressing deep individual dissatisfaction with the environment, a love of freedom and nature, and sympathy with rationalism.
Characteristics of Romanticism:
- Individualism: Rebels against anything that restricts personal expression.
- Rejection of Reality: Embraces escapism and rebellion.
- Defense of Liberty: The foundation of Romantic thought.
- Nature and Rationalism: Emphasizes the importance of nature and intuition.
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Bécquer’s poetry stands out for its intimacy, purity, authenticity, and sensitivity. He departs from traditional Romantic lyricism, drawing inspiration from German Romantic poetry and Andalusian folk songs. Bécquer excels in lyric poetry, particularly his “Rhymes,” but also wrote high-quality prose, such as his “Legends,” which are narratives with a fantastic, often medieval atmosphere. In these works, he expresses inner feelings and emotions through poetic language.
Rhymes:
Bécquer’s poetry collection “Rhymes” is characterized by intense emotion expressed in a simple yet formally perfect style. These short, assonant poems vary in verse and stanza structure. According to Bécquer, poetry originates from the evocation of feelings, specifically from memories of past experiences. His lyrics are concise and emotionally charged.
Bécquer’s Rhymes can be classified thematically:
- I-XI: Poetry and Inspiration
- XII-XXIX: Hopeful Love
- XXX-LI: Lost Love
- LII-LXXVI: Anguish and Despair
Mariano José de Larra
Larra holds a significant place in Spanish literature, known for his newspaper articles on manners, politics, and literature. He developed a direct and personal style, adapting it to the needs of journalistic communication. Besides articles, Larra also wrote a novel (“El doncel de Don Enrique el Doliente”) and a Romantic historical drama (“Macías”), both dealing with tragic love affairs.
Larra’s Articles:
- Articles of Manners: Unlike the picturesque, descriptive style common at the time, Larra offered a critical and satirical view of society, aiming to reform and modernize it.
- Political Articles: Provide an overview of the Carlist era’s political landscape. He defended absolutism but also rejected moderate liberal politics.
- Literary Articles: Offer critical commentary on the literature of his time, particularly theater, which he considered mediocre.
The Late Romanticism
Intimate lyricism reached its peak in the late Romantic period with Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro. Both favored a simple and introspective lyrical style. They are the most important poets of the transition phase (1845-1870), during which Romanticism gradually faded, and Realistic trends began to emerge. These authors preferred a natural and intimate lyricism, avoiding both prosaic and rhetorical poetry, as well as the exalted and grandiose style of earlier Romantics.