Changes in Middle English: Grammar, Pronunciation, and Vocabulary
Changes Undergone by Nouns in Middle English
Reduction of Inflections
The Middle English period saw a general reduction of inflections in English grammar. Endings that distinguished number, case, and often gender were altered in pronunciation, losing their distinctive forms and usefulness.
Factors Leading to the Leveling of Inflections
- Phonetic Changes: For example, the dative plural of nouns saw the change of final -m to -n, with -n eventually disappearing.
- Analogy: The indeterminate vowel (e) was organic
Golden Age of Spanish Literature: Quevedo, Lope, Calderón, and Lazarillo
Francisco de Quevedo (1580-1645)
Life and Works
Born in Madrid in 1580, Francisco de Quevedo was involved in political intrigues, leading to imprisonment on two occasions. He died in Villanueva de los Infantes in 1645. Quevedo’s literary contributions are significant, encompassing both poetry and prose. His work is characterized by its linguistic mastery.
Poetic Works
- Metaphysical Poems: These compositions explore human existence, the brevity of life, the passage of time, and the acceptance of death.
The Life and Legacy of Simón Bolívar
Simón Bolívar: A Legacy of Liberation
Family and Origins
The Bolívar family, one of the oldest and most distinguished families in Venezuela, traced its lineage back to Vizcaya, Spain. Their name, Ochoa de Rementería de Bolívar (de meaning “stone mill” in Basque), reflected their heritage. The first Bolívar to arrive in Venezuela was Simón Bolívar de Ibargüen “the Elder” in 1589, establishing the family’s wealth and acquiring vast lands across the country.
Simón Bolívar “the Younger” (the
Read MoreAnalysis of Salvador Espriu’s Poetry: Themes and Style
Analysis of Salvador Espriu’s Poetry
Baby on Saturday (Existential/Parental Love)
This poem, addressed to the poet’s first child who died at four months old, reveals the traumatic impact of this premature death. It shaped Espriu’s understanding of death and the afterlife. The poem expresses tenderness towards the baby, highlighting her smallness, sweetness, and innocence. However, it also hints at danger and peril. Metaphorical elements evoke a contrast between the newborn’s fragility and the harsh
Read MoreBrazilian Historical Figures
Castro Alves
Antônio de Castro Alves (Curralinho, March 14, 1847 – Salvador, July 6, 1871) was a Brazilian poet. He was born on the farm Cabaceiras, seven lagoons (42 km) from the town of Our Lady of the Conception of “Curralinho” (today Castro Alves, Bahia). His poetry (Romantic school) is best known for its fight against slavery, which is why he is known as the “Poet of the Slaves.” His mother died in 1869. At school and at home with his father, he found a literary atmosphere produced by Oiteiro,
Architectural Masterpieces Across Civilizations
Cathedral of Santiago Compostela (Romanesque)
The Cathedral of Santiago is a pilgrimage church with a typical basilica plan consisting of three naves and a large transept. The transept is divided into three naves with four apsidioles in its arms and a wide head, featuring a remarkable central apse and five radiating chapels. The central nave is covered with a barrel vault, reinforced by arches, while the transept has a dome in the middle. The apsidioles are covered with quarter-sphere vaults, and
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