A History of Oratory: From Ancient Greece to the Imperial Age
Oratory: A Historical Overview
Ancient Greece
Oratory, the art of public speaking, emerged in the democratic city-states of ancient Greece. Sophists like Protagoras and Gorgias developed theories about persuasive speaking techniques, and schools of rhetoric flourished, spreading throughout Greece.
Ancient Rome
Roman nobility embraced Greek rhetoric with enthusiasm, while some conservatives viewed it as a tool for the common people. A decree even expelled rhetoricians from Rome for a time, but they
Read MoreValencian Literature: Renaissance to Neoclassicism
Valencian Literature
From Renaissance to Neoclassicism
1. Renaissance (14th-16th Century)
This period saw the spread of humanism across Europe, reviving interest in classical works. The transition from Valencian to Castilian is evident in the literature of this time.
Theater
Works were written in Spanish or bilingually. Notable playwrights include:
- Joan Ferrandis d’Heredia: La Vesita
- Luis Milán: La Cortesana
Poetry
Medieval traditions continued, with influences from the Valencian school and religious satirical
Read MorePost-War and Social Poetry in Spain: 1940s & 1950s
Post-War Poetry in Spain: The 1940s
Existential Poetry
The Spanish Civil War dramatically impacted intellectual and artistic life, dividing poetry into two main streams. Established poets like Dámaso Alonso and Vicente Aleixandre continued their work alongside the Generation of ’36. In exile, poets like Juan Ramón Jiménez and León Felipe focused on the theme of Spain, evident in works like Felipe’s Verses and Prayers of a Walker.
Rooted Poetry
Centered around the Escorial and magazines like Garcilaso,
Read MoreGolden Age Literature: Renaissance & Baroque in Spain
Golden Age: Renaissance and Baroque Revival
Diverse and Contradictory Currents
Renaissance thought is shaped by humanism and classical culture. Born in Italian city-states aspiring to become republics, the movement emphasized rhetoric for persuasion and pedagogy.
Baroque Characteristics
The Baroque is marked by mistrust and fear of social decay, reflected in themes of disillusionment and life as a dream. Honor, echoing the divide between private and public life, is another recurring theme. In Spain,
Read MoreProminent Figures of Venezuelan History
Andrés Bello
Born in Caracas on November 29, 1781, and died in Santiago de Chile on October 15, 1865. Bello was a renowned humanist, poet, lawmaker, philosopher, educator, and critic. A significant aspect of his life is his writing, which has been largely preserved. His works from his time in Caracas include poems such as “To the Vaccine” and “The Anauco,” the romance “Of a Saman,” sonnets like “To the Victory Dance,” “An Artist,” “My Desires,” “Venezuela,” and “Spain Restored and Comforted,”
Read MoreSpanish Theater Before 1936: A Golden Age of Dramatic Literature
Spanish Theater Before 1936
A Unique Literary Genre
The theater is a unique literary genre where the connection between sender (author) and receiver (audience) isn’t immediate. From the moment a play is written until it’s performed, significant intermediation occurs. Theater is not only an art form but also a business with diverse interests influencing its development. In Spain, the bourgeois public often rejected plays addressing significant social or ideological issues, as well as those with experimental
Read More