Ancient Greek Art & Romanization: Cultural Impact
There are three characteristics that best define Greek art: harmony, proportion, and beauty.
Greek Architecture: Styles & Structures
Greek architecture is characterized by its use of lintel and column-supporting elements. From the sixth century BC, the main materials used were stone and white marble, which could then be painted in bright colors. The plans were rectangular, and the roof, made with a double slope (gabled), was supported by a wall surrounded by columns. The interior was divided into
Read MoreSpanish Literary Masters: Generation of ’98 Novelists
The Generation of ’98 Novelists: Literary Innovation
The year 1902 marked a pivotal moment in Spanish literature with the publication of four seminal novels, each breaking with the traditional conception of Spanish narrative: La voluntad by Azorín, Camino de perfección by Baroja, Amor y pedagogía by Unamuno, and Sonata de otoño by Valle-Inclán. These works exemplify the innovative spirit of the Generation of ’98, a group of Spanish intellectuals and authors deeply concerned with Spain’s cultural
Read MoreThe Song of Roland: History, Legend, and Medieval Epic
The Song of Roland (La Chanson de Roland in French) is an epic poem consisting of several thousand lines, written in the late eleventh century in Old French. It is attributed to a Norman monk named Turoldus, whose name appears on the last, enigmatic line: “Ci falt Turoldus declinet gesta.” However, the meaning of the verb “decline” in this verse is unclear; it could mean ‘sing,’ ‘compose,’ ‘transcribe,’ or ‘copy.’ It is considered the oldest epic poem written in a Romance language in Europe. The
Read MoreCatalan Literary and Cultural Movements: From Romanticism to Modernity
Romanticism: Individualism and National Identity
Romanticism emphasized the importance of the individual, extolling sentiments, and advocating for freedom and the historical personality of each nation.
The Renaissance: Catalan Literary Revival
The Renaissance period in literature is known for its significant cultural shifts. The Catalan cultural Renaissance, following a period of decline, was a movement focused on the revitalization and recovery of the Catalan language, history, and literature.
Jocs
Read MoreMiguel Hernández: Themes of Life, Love, and Death in Poetry
Life, Love, and Death in Miguel Hernández’s Poetry
In the work of Miguel Hernández, the central themes are life, love, and death. Love is often presented as a positive value, though it also reveals great suffering. Critics distinguish several facets of love in his poetry: “love-pain,” “love-hate,” and “hope-love.” His early compositions, particularly those in Primeras composiciones (Primroses), often appear poetic and vacillating. He treats love with a tender and platonic form, lamenting love,
Read MoreThe Spanish Golden Age: Literary Flourishing and Cultural Zenith
The Golden Age of Spain spans approximately from the end of the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, transitioning from the 15th to the 16th century, until the death of the last Habsburg monarch, Charles II, in 1700. During these two centuries, Spain reached its political and territorial zenith. This was a period marked by continuous wars, whose expenditures, despite the silver flowing from the Indies, profoundly affected the economy.
Literary Zenith and the Evolution of Castilian
From a literary perspective,
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