Argumentation and Characterization in Literature
Types of Arguments
Here are some common types of arguments used in rhetoric and literature:
- Argument from Authority: This argument builds on what was said or written by an authority on the subject.
- Argument a fortiori: This relies on the power of reason in what one proposes.
- Argument ad populum: This uses sentiments emanating from concepts such as parental, family, religion, etc.
- Argument ad judicium: This uses an appeal to common sense.
- Logical Arguments: These follow a structure like “if p then q” (
Spanish Theater After 1939: Trends and Key Playwrights
Spanish Theater After 1939
The postwar theater served two functions: to entertain audiences seeking entertainment and to transmit ideology.
After the war, the Falange and the Church established a tight grip on new works and repertoires. This phenomenon, therefore, developed self-censorship among playwrights.
Theater in Exile
- Alberti, before and after the Civil War, wrote political theater. In The Eyesore, he raises the issue of intolerance of power.
- Max Aub: San Juan was published in 1942. The book presents
Roman Oratory and Rhetoric: From Cicero to Quintilian
**Oratory and Rhetoric in Ancient Rome**
Eloquence has been regarded as a manifestation of the original Roman genius. The word had an important role, as parliamentary debates could not be driven, and were dominated by men who were not telling. Oratory was a very valuable tool to influence public opinion in the political fight.
Rhetoric was born in Greece around the 5th century BC as a technical systematization of stylistic procedures for the speaker’s exposition. It came to Rome in the middle of the
Read MoreSpanish Baroque Literature: Culteranismo, Conceptismo, and Theater
Culteranismo and Conceptismo in Spanish Baroque Literature
Culteranismo, championed by Luis de Góngora, aimed to create a refined poetic language. It emphasized formal beauty, vibrant imagery, and sensory experiences. This style involved intricate language, including bold metaphors, hyperbatons, and cultisms (learned or unusual words).
Conceptismo, represented by Francisco de Quevedo and Baltasar Gracián, focused on conciseness and expressive density. It sought wit and sharpness through ellipses,
Read MoreCatalan Literature: Historical Periods and Key Authors
Illustration
The Illustration was a stream of thought that extolled reason and urged the spirit of ideas and progress. It is characterized by rationalism (based on reason) and empiricism (based on experience). It was a time of optimism that opposed the Baroque, and during this period, the encyclopedia was created. Academies were created, which in some institutions were beginning. In The Hague, there were very few people, and people loved to write and put together works. They held classes, defended
Read MoreAntonio Machado’s Poetry: Solitudes, Fields of Castile, and Civil War Poems
Contextualization
The texts we will analyze belong to *Solitudes*, *Fields of Castile*, and *Poems of the Civil War*, written by Antonio Machado. Born in Seville in 1875, Machado moved to Madrid eight years later. In 1902, he established a lasting friendship with the writer Rubén Darío. Influenced by modernism, he published his first book in 1903. After meeting his beloved Leonor, he moved to Paris. Following her death, Machado began to create increasingly personal literature. He fell ill in late
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