18th-Century Spanish Prose and Theater: A Neoclassical Overview
18th-Century Spanish Prose
During the 17th century, creative prose declined while essays gained prominence. This shift reflects the didactic nature of the era’s literature, aiming for widespread education. In the 18th century, journalism flourished as a means of disseminating ideas, prioritizing education and information over mere news reporting.
Key Essayists
Feijoo
In Teatro crítico universal and Cartas eruditas y curiosas, Feijoo addressed diverse topics, from politics and folklore to literature
Read MoreAncient Greek Theater and Literature: A Comprehensive Guide
Ancient Greek Theater
Politics and Festivities
The theater played a crucial role in Athenian democracy, disseminating and solidifying democratic ideals among the citizens. It was integral to religious festivals and rituals, particularly those honoring Dionysus.
Costumes and Masks
Actors utilized masks to embody characters, enhance visibility, and amplify their voices. These masks depicted various ages and genders. Actors also wore boots with elevated platforms (buskins) and tunics in colors signifying
Read MoreRenaissance and Baroque Spanish Narrative
1. Renaissance Narrative
1.1 The Romance of Chivalry
The chivalric genre originated in medieval times. During the 16th century, this genre reached enormous development thanks to the printing press. Tirant lo Blanc, by Joanot Martorell, written in Catalan in 1490. According to Cervantes, it is the best book in the world, commending the absence of fantastic episodes. Amadis of Gaul, by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo, published in 1508, is the Spanish chivalric novel par excellence. It is characterized
Read More16th-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
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