Catalan Literature: Chronicles and Chivalric Novels
News
The origin of news lies in the dissemination of songs, stories, and verses in the vernacular, recounting heroic deeds and events of general interest by minstrels. Catalan chronicles and epic poems were used as sources of information and also served as propaganda for monarchs and royal houses. Chronicles are narratives of historical events occurring during a specific period, reign, or dynasty. Initially written in Latin and intended for a clerical audience, some translations emerged in the 13th
Read MoreGeneration of ’27: Spanish Poets and Their Literary Legacy
Generation of ’27: Leading Spanish Poets
Introduction
The Generation of ’27 was a group of Spanish poets who reached their peak creative period around 1927, the year of the 300th anniversary of the death of Baroque poet Luis de Góngora. This group is considered one of the most important in the history of Spanish literature. Many of these poets were also playwrights, professors, and literary critics. Their work reflects a blend of tradition and modernity, incorporating elements of avant-garde movements
Read MoreSpanish Literature of the Renaissance: Poetry and Prose
Reign of Charles I (1516-1556)
His reign began with a civil confrontation in Castilla (Communities Revolt), but he suppressed the revolt of the Communards in 1521. Carlos I had a relatively quiet reign in terms of internal politics.
Reign of Felipe II (1556-1598)
Son and successor of Charles I, King Felipe II was meticulous, conscientious, and hardworking, spending hours in his office studying political problems.
The Renaissance Ideology
- The Separation between the Natural and the Supernatural: Renaissance
Spanish Literature of the 17th Century: Culteranismo, Conceptismo, and Theater
Spanish Literature of the 17th Century
Culteranismo and Conceptismo
Culteranismo and Conceptismo arose during the Renaissance. Both aimed to find beauty and surprise in writing. They share commonalities in difficulty and exaggeration but differ in their expressive processes. Culteranismo focuses on elaborate language, while Conceptismo emphasizes intricate ideas and wit.
Culteranismo
- Form over Content: The focus is on elaborate and complex language. The subject matter is secondary to formal beauty.
- Stylistic
Luis de Góngora: Life, Poetry, and Legacy
Luis de Góngora: A Life in Poetry
Early Life and Career
Born in Córdoba in 1561, Luis de Góngora’s life presents a stark contrast between the man and the artist. A brilliant poet with economic concerns, personal ambitions, and family ties, Góngora studied at the University of Salamanca in 1576. Returning to Córdoba in 1586, he held a council position. His travels took him to Madrid, Salamanca, Valencia, and Cuenca in 1603. In 1613, the publication of his two masterpieces, Polyphemus and Solitudes,
Read MoreGolden Age Spanish Literature: Gongora and Theater
Work of Luis de Góngora
Poetic Language and Style
Luis de Góngora, a respected and renowned poet of his time, developed a brilliant poetic language and unique style known as culteranismo. His poetry aimed to transform reality into a new world of beauty through metaphors. Góngora’s work is characterized by its aesthetic and sensory nature, appealing to the reader’s intellect rather than emotions.
Learned Poetry
From his early sonnets, Góngora displayed a penchant for learned poetry. This tendency
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