Antonio Machado’s Poetic Journey: Stages and Themes
Antonio Machado’s poetry, like that of many authors, was marked by significant life events. His work was deeply affected by the death of his young wife, Leonor Izquierdo, who passed away at around 19 years old. His poetry reflects his ideas about the nature of poetry and art itself, aiming for a twofold purpose: to capture the essence of things while also reflecting their temporal flow.
We can distinguish several distinct stages in his poetic evolution:
First Poetic Stage
In this initial cycle, Machado
Read MoreLinguistic History of Spain: From Latin to Modern Languages
The Linguistic Landscape of Hispania
From the third century BC, the Romanization of Hispania led to the decline of most pre-Roman languages, except for Basque, establishing Latin as the dominant language. Although the Visigoths invaded Hispania in the sixth century, they eventually adopted the Latin-based language of the conquered population. Furthermore, the settlement of various Germanic peoples within the Roman Empire accelerated the evolution and fragmentation of Latin.
Later, the Arab conquest
Read MoreHorace and Ovid: Lives and Major Works of Roman Poets
Horace: Roman Lyric Poet
Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) was born in Venusia, southern Italy, in 65 BC. He was the son of a freedman (an emancipated slave). He received his education first in Rome and later in Athens, where he studied Greek literature and philosophy. He fought on the side of Brutus and Cassius (the assassins of Julius Caesar) against Octavian (later Augustus) at the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. After Augustus’ victory, Horace returned to Rome and was granted amnesty.
Initially facing
Read MoreJordi de Sant Jordi & Ausiàs March: Pillars of Valencian Poetry
Jordi de Sant Jordi
Life and Court Connections
Born in the late fourteenth century, Jordi de Sant Jordi died in 1424. He participated actively in court life and in Mediterranean military campaigns accompanying the king. He held significant positions, such as chamberlain to the monarch, and was rewarded with generous incomes and the lordship of Penàguila or the Castle of Vall d’Uixó, which he held until his death. Jordi de Sant Jordi was notably well-connected with other writers. His acquaintances
Read MoreNoucentisme and Avant-Garde Poetry in Catalan Literature
Noucentista Poets: A Literary Movement
The most prominent Noucentista poets include:
- Jaume Bofill, under the pseudonym of Guerau de Liost (Ametistesi, the mountain city of ivory)
- Jose Maria Lopez-Pico
- Josep Carner: (poetry) Tasty Fruits, eighteen poems describing different ages and stages of human life, Doggerel and Fans, Ironic Laparaula in the Wind, Beautiful People and Beautiful Land, Patriotica.
Avant-Garde Poets and Their Innovations
Joan Salvat Papaseit: Cubism and Futurism
Joan Salvat Papaseit:
Read MoreVirgil’s Aeneid: Echoes of Homer’s Epics
Virgil takes his inspiration from Homer’s Odyssey and Iliad. He brilliantly combines the best of both epics, understanding that the greatest writers draw inspiration from their predecessors. When Augustus commissioned this epic around 28 B.C.E., Virgil was handsomely paid to write the greatest poem about Rome’s glory and its origins in Troy.
The twelve books he designed purposely emulate Homer, starting with what is arguably the better poem, The Odyssey, since the first half (books one through
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