16th-Century Spanish Literature: Mysticism, Prose, and Novel
Santa Teresa de Jesús
Life
Teresa Sánchez Cepeda Dávila y Ahumada was born in Ávila in 1515. A child with great imagination and fantasy, at an early age, she and her brother ran away to go to the land of infidels. She suffered from brittle health. In 1534, she professed as a Carmelite nun. In 1562, she founded the first convent of the Order of Discalced Carmelites.
Work
Focused on the way to perfection: ascetic, she wanted to show that the mystical path is only achieved with poverty, obedience,
Read More20th-Century Spanish Poetry: From Modernism to Today
20th-Century Spanish Poetry
From Modernism to Today
The Lyric Since 1939
Modernism and the Generation of ’98
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were turbulent times. Political instability in Spain, culminating in the Civil War (1939), was marked by events such as the reign of Amadeo I, the First Republic, the Bourbon Restoration, the Disaster of ’98, the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, and the Second Republic. Europe faced World War I (1914) and the Russian Revolution (1917).
This period saw rural
Read MoreLove and Passion in the Poetry of Miguel Hernandez
Early Life and Influences
Miguel Hernandez’s mother played a vital role in his life, providing unwavering love and support. His first adolescent love was Carmen (nicknamed “Squash”), but this love was unrequited. He also shared a deep friendship with Maria Zambrano, to whom he dedicated The Yellow House. In the dedication of The Ray That Does Not Cease, the poet addresses an unnamed recipient, possibly fulfilling a forgotten promise. According to José Luis Ferris, most of the poems in this collection
Read MoreLife and Death in Miguel Hernandez’s Poetry
Life and Death
In all biographies of Miguel Hernandez, one of his greatest passions emerges: the life, jail, and death of a poet. Miguel’s work reflects life itself, encompassing more than just destruction. A vital process overcomes and permeates his work. Many early poems possess a certain insouciance, supporting a conscious and natural optimism.
A Path of Poetry and Life
At this time, his life and work follow distinct paths. The first, his poetic space, is influenced by Jorge Guillen’s concept of
Read MoreMiguel Hernández: Poet of Nature and Spanish Literature’s Evolution
Miguel Hernández: A Return to Nature
Early Life and Influences
Miguel Hernández, deeply rooted in the agricultural landscape of Orihuela, found inspiration in nature. His upbringing shaped his poetic vision, evident in works like “Pastoral.” Educated in Modernism, he portrayed scenes of gardens, pastures, and crops with sentimental depth. This connection between feelings and nature is central to his work.
From Modernism to Nature
Hernández’s poetic journey began with Perito en lunas, showcasing an
Read MoreMiguel Hernández: A Poetic Journey Through Love, War, and Loss
Miguel Hernández: A Poetic Journey
Early Influences and Modernism
Miguel Hernández began his poetic journey at a young age, influenced by the regionalism of Orihuela and his experiences as a shepherd. Mentors like Ramón Sijé and Luis Almansa guided his early work, which featured phonetic elements of the local Panocho dialect. A trip to Madrid exposed him to new literary ideas, leading to a period of hermetic and technically refined poetry. Perito en Lunas (Proficient in Moons) showcases this
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