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
Read More17th Century Spanish Literature: Gongora, Quevedo, and Lope
17th Century Spanish Literature
Luis de Góngora
Born in Cordoba to an illustrious family, Luis de Góngora studied at the University of Salamanca. Known for his unfriendly and arrogant demeanor, he was an enemy of Quevedo. His work, purely poetic, ranges in tone from serious and noble to humorous and burlesque.
Letrillas and Romances
His letrillas and romances (e.g., Da goods, Fortuna, cried the girl, sister Marikca) cover a variety of themes. Maintaining the vitality and charm of this verse form,
Read MoreNarcis Oller and the Catalan Novel: From Romanticism to Naturalism
The Importance of the Lieder Theatre
The Lieder Theatre holds great significance in the history of Catalan literature for several reasons:
- Final recovery of Catalan theatre: Verdaguer and Oller became involved in poetry and novels.
- Projection of Catalan theatre works: Works like “Sea and Heaven” and “Terra Baixa” gained prominence.
- Representation of the best tradition of Catalan theatre: It achieved great public success.
Narrative: The Historical Novel and Realism
The recovery of the Catalan language
Read MoreThe Generation of ’27 and Contemporary Spanish Literature
The Generation of ’27
Overview
The Generation of ’27 was a group of Spanish poets who blended tradition and modernity. Notable authors include Lorca, Alberti, and Cernuda. This literary movement can be divided into two stages:
- Pure Poetry (1922-1928): Characterized by the elimination of excessive emotion, poetic rigor, and refined language.
- Avant-Garde Influence (1928-1936): Some poets continued with pure poetry, while others embraced avant-garde forms, particularly Surrealism.
The Spanish Civil War
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