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
* Developed during the first half of the century * Repeated themes and forms of the previous century * Reached all genres, especially theater
Neoclassicism
* Consolidated in the reign of Charles III * Assumed the uniformity of style and the predominance of the rational * Stressed the value and utility of didactic poetry
Preromanticism
* Emerged in the last two decades of the century * Combined rationalism with language and emotion * Raised metaphysical, educational, or social issues in a tone of intense emotion
Poetry
The 18th century was not a particularly original period for poetry, as the rationalism of the time was not conducive to this genre. However, there were different trends:
Baroque Poetry
* Appreciated for its satiric nature * Followed the line of Quevedo
Neoclassical Poetry
* Stressed didacticism and cultivated classical genres * Notable poets: J. Meléndez Valdés, Tomás de Iriarte, Félix María Samaniego
Pre-Romantic Poetry
* Raised metaphysical, educational, or social issues in a tone of intense emotion * Notable poets: J. Meléndez Valdés, N. Alvarez Cienfuegos, M.J. Quintana, A. Ready
Prose
The essay was the genre that achieved greater development in the 18th century. It helped to renew and disseminate a more modern language and simpler style.
Posbarroca Prose
* Represented by Diego Torres Villarroel
Neoclassical Prose
* Achieved high quality in study and criticism * Notable authors: Feijoo, Scaffold, Jovellanos
Pre-Romantic Prose
* Appeared at the end of the century * Notable authors: Gallows, Jovellanos
Theater
The controversy over the theater was constant during most of the 18th century. The Enlightenment defended a didactic and believable drama, whereas the public preferred posbarrocas baroque works.
Posbarroco Theater
* Triumphed during the first half of the century * Mimicked swashbuckling comedy and sacramental sketches * Notable playwright: Ramon de la Cruz
Neoclassical Theater
* Attempted to develop a neoclassical theater, but was unsuccessful * Notable playwright: Leandro Fernandez Moratín
Preromantic Theater
* Emerged in the last decades of the 18th century * Notable playwright: Jovellanos
Conclusion
The 18th century was a period of transition in Spanish literature, marked by the influence of Enlightenment thinking, Neoclassicism, and Preromanticism. These influences led to the renewal of literary language, the rise of the essay, and the emergence of new trends in poetry, prose, and theater.