Spanish Literature in the 18th Century: Enlightenment, Neoclassicism, and Preromanticism
Eighteenth-Century Spanish Literature
Introduction
The literary establishment of the 18th century did not achieve the brilliance of the previous century’s Baroque style, which continued to be imitated with great success. However, the influence of Enlightenment thinking and Neoclassicism signified the renewal of literary language and the rise of the essay. At the end of the century, pre-Romantic sensibility emerged in illustrated environments.
Periods
There are three distinct periods in 18th-century Spanish literature:
Posbarroco (Early 18th Century)
The Posbarroco period developed during the first half of the century and repeated themes and forms from the previous century, reaching all genres, especially theater.
Neoclassicism (Mid-18th Century)
Neoclassicism consolidated during the reign of Charles III, with the rise of Enlightenment ideas. It assumed the uniformity of style and the predominance of the rational, as required by classical rules.
Preromanticism (Late 18th Century)
Preromanticism emerged in the last two decades of the century and combined rationalism with language and emotion.
Poetry
The lyrical emotion of 18th-century poetry was not original, as the rationalism of the time was not ripe for this genre.
Baroque Poetry
Baroque poetry was more appreciated for its satiric nature, following the line of Quevedo.
Neoclassical Poetry
Neoclassical poetry stressed didacticism and cultivated classical genres such as the ode, satire, epistle, and fable.
Pre-Romantic Poetry
Pre-Romantic poetry raised metaphysical, educational, or social issues in a tone of intense emotion.
Prose
The essay was the genre that achieved greater development in the 18th century.
Posbarroca Prose
Posbarroca prose was represented by Diego Torres Villarroel.
Neoclassical Prose
Neoclassical prose achieved high quality in the study and criticism of Feijoo, Scaffold, and Jovellanos.
Pre-Romantic Prose
Pre-Romantic prose appeared at the end of the century with authors such as Gallows and Jovellanos.
Theater
The controversy over theater was constant during most of the 18th century.
Posbarroco Theater
Posbarroca comedy triumphed during the first half of the century, imitating swashbuckling comedy and sacramental sketches.
Neoclassical Theater
Neoclassical theater attempted to develop a didactic and believable drama, but was unsuccessful.
Preromantic Theater
Preromantic theater emerged in the last decades of the 18th century, with Jovellanos'”The Offender Honore” as an example.
Conclusion
The 18th century was a period of transition in Spanish literature, with the influence of Enlightenment thinking and Neoclassicism leading to the rise of new genres and styles. The emergence of Preromanticism at the end of the century foreshadowed the literary changes that would come in the 19th century.