17th-Century Spanish Theater: Lope, Tirso, and Calderón
17th-Century Spanish Theater
This era is renowned for its influential playwrights, impactful works, and social significance. Lope de Vega revolutionized comedy by disregarding the classical unities of time, place, and action. Plays were structured in three acts (or “days”), employed varied meter (polimetría), adapted language to each character, and incorporated songs and dances, blending comedic and tragic elements.
Themes and Topics
Plays explored mythological and pastoral themes, often set in rural
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Federico García Lorca (1898-1936)
Theatrical Writer and Poet
Lorca’s poetry was widely known and admired, following two distinct lines:
- Classical and Traditional: Exemplified by his Gypsy Ballads, which use traditional verse to depict the exclusion, frustration, and tragic fate of the Roma people.
- Avant-Garde and Surrealist: A cutting-edge style exploring new forms of expression, evident in Poet in New York, which features surreal images that escape the logic of reality and addresses themes of dehumanization,
Renaissance, Baroque, and Modern Age: A Literary Journey Through Spanish Culture
UNIT 11: The Renaissance
Cultural Comparison: Middle Ages vs. Humanism
Middle Ages
- Theocentrism
- Man is inherently flawed and judged by God.
- Life is a vale of tears.
- Art serves a didactic and moral purpose.
- Death is the ultimate end.
Humanism
- Anthropocentrism
- Man is inherently good.
- Life is to be enjoyed.
- Art is appreciated for its beauty.
- Classical ideals are valued.
- Memory and fame transcend death.
Early Renaissance Lyric
Italian opera influences the expression of beauty. Garcilaso de la Vega and Juan Boscán
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Romantic Poets
Bécquer
Bécquer’s poetical works opened doors to intimacy, purity, sensitivity, and authenticity, straying from the typical Romantic lyricism inspired by German and Andalusian folk songs. His Rhymes are intense and emotional, striving for formal perfection through poetic simplicity. This evocative poetry is born of feeling, mixed with fantasy. His prose, particularly the Legends, expresses intimate emotions through fantastical stories.
Larra
Larra holds a significant place in Spanish
Read MoreNoucentisme, Avant-Garde & Spanish Literary Movements
Noucentisme
Noucentisme proclaims the need for intellectual rigor to find rational solutions to Spain’s problems while proposing innovative artistic ideals.
Key Features of Noucentisme
- European Influence: Europe embodies the values of rationality and modernity.
- Anti-romanticism: Sense and balance should prevail over the emotional sensitivity of earlier writers.
- Artistic Purity: It considers Modernism superficial and rejects the passion of the Generation of ’98 for lacking intellectual rigor.
- Intellectual
20th Century Spanish Theater: From Benavente to Lorca
Bourgeois and Realistic Theater
This genre, popular among the middle and upper bourgeoisie, focuses on social mores in urban settings. Jacinto Benavente, a playwright known for his technical skill, initially faced poor reception with plays like The Alien Nest, a story of jealousy. He later adapted to popular tastes, becoming a chronicler of high society with works like The Unloved, Lady Loves Saturday Night, Autumn Roses, and The Vested Interests.
Verse Theater
This form of 19th-century Romantic drama
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