Spanish Literature: Critical Appraisals
Critical Appraisal of the Gypsy Ballads by Federico Garcia Lorca
Context and Themes
Composed between 1924 and 1927, the Gypsy Ballads consist of 18 ballads that mark a renewal of the romance genre. Lorca revitalizes the narrative tradition of the 19th century (seen in authors like Zorrilla) after the lyricism that dominated the Golden Age and Modernism. He masterfully fuses narrative and lyrical elements while incorporating dramatic aspects, achieving a perfect synthesis. Influenced by his studies
Read More20th Century Spanish Narrative: Realism & Renewal
Narrative in the Second Half of the Twentieth Century
1 / Novel and Society in Post-War Spain: 40 Years of Existential Realism
Between 1939 and 1950, given the dramatic circumstances, the novels of Baroja, and more specifically “The Search”, could serve as a model for many of the narrators of what has been called Generation 40. Two dates could be identified as significant: 1942 with “The Family of Pascual Duarte” by Camilo Jose Cela, a sour vision of wretched and brutal realities described as tremendous,
Read More18th Century Literature: Neoclassicism and Memoirs in Catalonia
Authors and Works of the Eighteenth Century in Catalonia
Neoclassicism
Ramis Ramis and John
Joan Ramis i Ramis (1746-1819), born in Maó, Menorca, was a prominent playwright, poet, and scholar. He studied in Mallorca and Perpignan, France, before working as a lawyer for the British government during their rule of Menorca. A champion of Catalan culture, he co-founded the Societat Maonesa de Cultura in 1781, which fostered intellectual and literary pursuits. Ramis is considered a key figure in Catalan
Read MoreAn Overview of Don Quixote
Don Quixote
The Masterpiece of Cervantes
The masterpiece of our author appeared in 1605, printed by Juan de la Cuesta and dedicated to the Duke of Bejar. The dedication could have been written by the editor, F. de Robles, as it follows the comments of Fernando de Herrera to Garcilaso.
The preliminaries continue with:
- A burlesque prologue ridiculing the auctoritate exhibited by other authors in similar situations.
- Laudatory poems, signed by Amadis, Orlando Furioso, or the Knight of Phoebus.
The work begins
Read MoreBaroque Spanish Literature: A Comprehensive Overview
Baroque Literature in Spain
The Pessimistic View: This period was characterized by a concern for moral standards, the transience of life, death, and disappointment. Contrasts were used to highlight the equivocal nature of reality, employing a resource-rich and complex rhetorical style.
Two Main Literary Currents:
- Culteranismo: This movement sought formal beauty through the use of elaborate language (cultism) and the creation of an artificial style. Its principal representative was Luis de Góngora.
Introduction to Literary Genres and the Middle Ages
Literary Genres
Literary genres are categories that allow us to group literary texts with common features, giving readers a prior idea about the work and offering patterns and models.
4.1. Lyric Poetry
Lyric poetry expresses the author’s feelings, opinions, and perceptions of the world.
Metrical Analysis
To determine the measure of the verses in a poem, consider the following:
- The last word of each verse:
- If the verse ends in an aguda word (stressed on the last syllable), add a syllable.
- If the verse ends