Spanish Romanticism and Modernism: A Literary Overview

Spanish Romanticism

Introduction

Romanticism was a cultural and political movement that profoundly impacted all aspects of life. Originating in the late 18th century (pre-Romanticism), it flourished throughout the 19th century. Romantics rejected the prevailing reality, believing it imposed unacceptable limitations on individual freedom. They embraced individualism, analyzing the world through their unique perspectives and emotions. Their works directly reflected their distinct views on life and the world.

Aesthetic Characteristics

Romanticism diverged from Neoclassical forms, which were perceived as restricting artistic freedom. It emphasized the intense and passionate expression of emotions, free from rules and constraints.

Types of Romanticism

  • Traditional Romanticism: Rejected bourgeois and revolutionary values, advocating for the restoration of traditional values such as patriotism, monarchy, and religion. Prominent figures included Walter Scott and José Zorrilla.
  • Liberal Romanticism: Championed individual rights and technological progress. Key figures in Spain included Larra and Espronceda.

Key Themes and Features

  • Subjectivism: The defining characteristic of the era. The exaltation of the self led Romantic authors to express their dissatisfaction with the world through their works.
  • Harsh Reality: Romantics portrayed a relentless and challenging reality that frustrated their aspirations, forcing them to confront it or seek refuge in other times or places.
  • Landscape: The landscape mirrored the Romantic writer’s mood. It was often depicted as gloomy and overwhelming, reflecting the author’s suffering. Nocturnal scenes, cemeteries, and storms were common motifs.
  • Interest in History and Customs: Romantics displayed a keen interest in the history and traditions of different peoples. Traditionalists lamented a glorious past, while revolutionaries sought inspiration from it to build a new future based on national identity.
  • Rejection of Neoclassicism: Romantics abandoned imitation and proclaimed creative freedom. They embraced dynamism, intensity, and drama in their choice of forms and genres.

Prominent Spanish Romantic Authors

Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836-1870)

Born in Seville, Bécquer moved to Madrid at 18, struggling financially and relying on literary contributions. He had a passionate but ultimately unsuccessful love affair with Elisa Guillén. He married Casta Esteban in 1861, but they later separated and reconciled shortly before his death in 1870. Bécquer’s Rimas, a collection of poems reconstructed from memory after a fire destroyed the original manuscript, is a cornerstone of Spanish Romanticism.

Rosalía de Castro (1837-1885)

Born in Santiago de Compostela, Rosalía de Castro moved to Madrid and later married Manuel Murguía. Despite living in Castile, she felt a deep longing for Galicia, where she returned in 1871 and remained until her death in 1885. A renowned storyteller and poet, her lyrical works, including Cantares gallegos, Follas novas, and En las orillas del Sar, explore themes of love for her homeland, the plight of emigration, and the Galician people.

Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881-1958)

Born in Moguer, Jiménez abandoned formal studies to dedicate himself to poetry. He moved to Madrid in 1900, but his father’s death triggered a prolonged crisis. During this time, he wrote Platero and I, his most famous work. In 1916, he married Zenobia Camprubí. Jiménez’s poetry evolved through three stages: sensory, intellectual, and true. His works include Pastorales, Elegías, Diario de un poeta recién casado, and Estación total.

Modernism

Modernism encompassed various artistic movements in the early 20th century that aimed to revolutionize art. It was characterized by a complete rejection of past and contemporary artistic trends.

Key Modernist Movements

  • Imagism: Celebrated the mechanical and technological advancements of modern civilization, emphasizing complete freedom in both subject matter and expression.
  • Cubism: Distorted reality by deconstructing images and rearranging them geometrically.
  • Dadaism: Rejected logic and conventions, opposing common sense and established norms.
  • Creationism: Sought to create new realities through the use of unconventional imagery and typography.
  • Ultraism: Combined elements of Futurism and Dadaism, emphasizing technology and sport, and employing unique typography for visual effects.
  • Surrealism: Aimed to liberate human creativity from social, moral, and rational constraints, believing that true creation originated from the subconscious.

Modernist Themes and Techniques

Modernist writers explored themes of beauty and paid close attention to sensory details. They utilized various literary devices, including alliteration, onomatopoeia, anaphora, and parallelism. They favored suggestive, exotic, and sophisticated vocabulary. Imagery, symbolism, and synesthesia were prominent features. Modernists experimented with meter and rhyme, using long lines, including Alexandrines and dodecasyllables, and reviving traditional stanzas like the sextina. They sought to create unique rhythms and musicality in their verse.