Spanish Golden Age: Renaissance & Religious Literature
Historical Events
The Golden Age began under the Catholic Monarchs with the Reconquista and the discovery of America. Economic growth came from Atlantic ports and precious metals from America. Politically, the Hispanic monarchy controlled vast territories. Scientific advancements occurred in engineering, mining, and navigation. Socially, many Spaniards migrated to Europe.
Society and Thought
Graeco-Latin culture revived after the Middle Ages, with a focus on humanism. Translations flourished, and vernacular
Read MoreRoman Epic Poetry: From Early Fragments to Neoclassicism
Early Roman Epic Poetry
Mythological Epic
In the 3rd century BC, Livius Andronicus, a Greek prisoner of war in Rome, produced the first known work of Roman epic literature. Only fragments remain of his Odyssey, a Saturnian verse adaptation of Homer’s epic. While based on the Greek original, Andronicus adapted the poem to Roman culture, replacing names and expressions to resonate with his audience.
Historical Epic
Gnaeus Naevius, a Roman citizen and possibly a veteran of the First Punic War (c. 270 BC)
Read MoreSpanish Literary Masters: Machado, Baroja, and Unamuno
Antonio Machado
At 8 years old, Antonio Machado moved to Madrid with his family. He completed his high school studies with his brother Manuel, frequenting Madrid’s literary and bohemian circles. His early work, such as Soledades (1903), reflects themes of loneliness and features modern imagery (sunsets, gardens with fountains, water that seems alive when it flows and dead when still). In 1907, Soledades expanded into Soledades, Galerías y Otros Poemas. Machado became a professor in Soria, where
Read MoreCatalan Language: History, Influences, and Troubadour Poetry
Linguistic Diversity: The Catalan Language
Catalan belongs to the Romance language family, derived from Vulgar Latin. Several factors contributed to the emergence of various Romance languages from spoken Latin. Currently, nine Romance languages are spoken: Galician-Portuguese, Spanish, Catalan, Occitan, French, Sardinian, Italian, Romansh, and Romanian.
1. Pre-Roman Influence: Catalan retains elements from languages that predate Roman influence.
2. Romanization: This process implemented Roman culture,
Read MoreLiterary Features and Spanish Literary Movements
Literary Features
Poetic Function
The poetic function of language focuses on the message itself, emphasizing its aesthetic qualities rather than conveying information. The writer, as an artistic innovator, continually explores the expressive possibilities of language.
Realism and Reinterpretation
While a literary work may draw inspiration from reality, it doesn’t mirror it exactly. Instead, it decomposes and rebuilds reality in its own way, offering a unique perspective.
Connotation and Plurisignification
Terms
Read MoreSpanish Golden Age Literature: Poetry, Drama, and Prose
Spanish Golden Age Literature
Poetry
Sonnets
Sonnets are structured in blocks, connecting sentences to lines and thoughts. Love themes include unrequited love, a lady’s harshness, disdain, jealousy, and mourning a loved one’s death.
Songs
Songs are poems often filled with love, sometimes featuring a chorus. Song III, written during exile, marks the first use of the locus amoenus. Song V, an ode to the flower of Knidos, depicts Garcilaso persuading a Neapolitan lady to accept a friend’s love, using the
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