18th-Century Spanish Literature: From Baroque to Enlightenment
18th-Century Spanish Literature
The Enlightenment
The 18th-century literary movement was based on empiricism and rationalism. Enlightened despotism was practiced, advocating for the elimination of privileges for the clergy and aristocracy. Political power became secular and independent of religious influence.
The Enlightenment in Spain
This period saw significant French influence. While moderate, several factors favored the development of the Enlightenment in Spain.
Language and Literature
Clarity was
Read MoreA Journey Through Western Literature: From Hebrew Bible to Italian Renaissance
Hebrew Literature
The Bible
The Bible, a cornerstone of Western culture, embodies core moral sensitivities and a worldview primarily written in Hebrew, with some Aramaic fragments. The New Testament, however, appears entirely in Greek. Derived from the Latin word for book (Biblia, from Greek), the Bible comprises the sacred texts of Jewish and Christian religions. The Old Testament details God’s covenant with Israel, while the New Testament focuses on Jesus’ covenant with humanity.
Key Books of the
Read MoreMedieval & Renaissance Spanish Literature: A Journey Through Time
1. Medieval Literature
In the early Middle Ages, Romance languages evolved from Latin. Written Romance was rare, primarily used in monasteries. Germanic languages influenced epic narratives, lyrics, and dramas, spread through oral tradition by minstrels. Literature emphasized love, religion, and war, themes reflected in didactic art (sculpture, painting) of feudal society.
2. Mester de Juglaría
In the largely illiterate, rural society, minstrels entertained with oral literary creations, using songs,
Read MoreThe Evolution of Castilian Prose and Poetry
The Beginnings of Castilian Prose
Until the reign of Alfonso X, Castilian was considered suitable only for oral communication in informal contexts, while Latin was the language of scholars. Early examples of Castilian glosses are found in the monasteries of Santo Domingo de Silos (Burgos) and San Millán de la Cogolla (La Rioja), both dating back to the 10th century. These are short notes in Castilian that translate Latin passages, which even then were difficult to understand. Around 1250, translations
Read MoreThe Book of Good Love: A 14th-Century Masterpiece
Mester of the Clergy
The Book of Good Love, by Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita, represents a significant work of the 14th-century clergy. It showcases important shifts in the literary landscape. The work breaks from the traditional uniformity of verse structure, incorporating diverse poetic forms and religious content. This gives way to a strong sense of realism, evident in both the cheerful satire of Juan Ruiz and the social criticism of López de Ayala.
The Intent of Juan Ruiz
Little is known about
Read MoreCatalan Literature: Humanism and Chivalry
1. Humanism: Bernat Metge
Medieval culture transitioned with the emergence of Humanism. Ausiàs March contributed with Catalan poetry, and chivalric novels marked a turning point.
Humanism is the cultural movement that emerged in Europe at the end of the Middle Ages, characterized by:
- Revaluation of Greco-Roman antiquity.
- A new attitude towards life, valuing human beings (anthropocentrism).
Italian cities were the cradle of Humanism, with authors like Dante (Divine Comedy), Petrarch (Sonnets to Laura)
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