Medieval Spanish Literature: Epic Poems, Lyrics, and Courtly Love
Early Medieval Literature
Arabic Influences and New Poetic Forms
Early medieval Spanish literature shows the influence of Arabic poetry, particularly in the classical qasida form. New popular poetic forms emerged in Al-Andalus, such as the zejel and muwassaha, which celebrated life and love. These songs, often accompanied by musical instruments, were popular among the nobility, bringing a sense of vigor and spontaneity to the more formal classical poetry.
First Signs of Romance Literature: The Jarchas
The
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Realism (Nineteenth Century)
Realism reacted against Romantic excesses, subjectivity, imagination, exoticism, and bombastic style. It emphasized the observation of contemporary reality. The novel became the dominant genre. This century marked the heyday of the European novel with authors like Flaubert, Stendhal, and Zola (France); Tolstoy and Dostoevsky (Russia); Dickens (Great Britain); and Eça de Queiroz (Portugal).
Naturalism (1870)
In France, Naturalism emerged, leading to extremely realistic
Read More19th and 20th Century Spanish Literature: Realism to Avant-Garde
19th and 20th Century Spanish Literature
REALISM (Nineteenth Century)
Realism aimed to react against the romantic excesses and abuse of subjectivity, imagination, the evasions of ancient and exotic worlds, and its bombastic style. It appreciated the thorough and accurate observation of contemporary reality. The dominant genre was the novel. This century was the heyday of the European novel: Flaubert, Stendhal, and Zola (France), Tolstoy, Dostoevsky (Russia), Dickens (Great Britain), and Eça de Queiroz
Read MorePostwar Spanish Novel: Evolution and Trends
Postwar Spanish Novel
Historical Context
After the Spanish Civil War, the Franco dictatorship imposed repression and censorship, leading to cultural impoverishment. However, new avenues of expression slowly emerged. Internationally, the end of World War II resulted in the Cold War and significant scientific advancements.
The Postwar Novel: Renewal and Trends
The postwar novel saw a renewal of realism, a diminished focus on history, and a tendency towards centralized drama and the hero’s problems. Novels
Read MoreRealism and Modernism in 19th and 20th Century Spanish Literature
Realism (Nineteenth Century)
Realism aimed to react against the romantic excesses and abuse of subjectivity, imagination, the evasions of ancient and exotic worlds and its bombastic style. It appreciated the thorough and accurate observation of contemporary reality. The dominant genre was the novel. This century was the heyday of the European novel: Flaubert, Stendhal and Zola (France), Tolstoy, Dostoevsky (Russia), Dickens (Great Britain) and Eça de Queiroz (Portugal). In France, Naturalism emerged
Read More19th Century Spanish Realism
1. Realism
Realism, the second major literary movement of the nineteenth century in Spain, emerged later than in other European countries but achieved significant development and influence. It arose within a complex socio-historical context during the mid-nineteenth century, culminating in a period of relative political and economic stability towards the end of the century—the Bourbon Restoration period, following the Revolution of ’68 and the First Republic. Krausismo and Positivism, progressive
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