Surrealist Poetry of the Generation of ’27
Surrealist Poetry in Spain: The Generation of ’27
Introduction
Artistic avant-garde movements represent a break from tradition, seeking artistic freedom. The devastation of World War I led to a rejection of European values and spurred an anti-realist aesthetic revolution. This new concept emphasized originality and surprise against the conventional. The avant-garde movements created a new sensitivity and new ways of expression, influenced by Cubism, Dadaism, and Surrealism.
Birth and Rise of the Avant-
Read MoreA Journey Through Roman Literature: Archaic to Late Period
1. Periods of Roman Literature
1.1. Sources
Roman literature emerged in the 3rd century BC with Livius Andronicus and Gnaeus Naevius. Andronicus translated Homer’s Odyssey into Latin, marking the beginning of Roman theatre. Naevius composed an epic poem about the Punic War, along with tragedies and comedies. Early prose writers focused on history, known as Annalists due to their method of recording events. These historians initially wrote in Greek. Two factors influenced the rise of Latin literature:
Read MoreMedieval Spanish Literature
Medieval Prose
First Half of the 12th Century
First manifestations of the prose romance appeared under the reign of Fernando III. These consisted of translations of earlier texts written in Latin. Works include Kalila and Dimna and Book of Deception.
Alfonsi Prose (Second Half of the 12th Century)
Alfonso X the Wise is considered the true creator of Castilian prose. He enriched the language, giving flexibility to its syntactic structures, creating new conjugations, and incorporating new words from Latin.
Read MorePost-War Spanish Poetry: An Overview
Between 1936 and 1939, a literature of ideological propaganda developed, where poetry became a weapon. From the war’s end onward, Spanish poetry navigated diverse social and historical circumstances, shaping its various orientations.
The 1940s
This decade saw the rise of two distinct poetic currents. First, a nationalist, escapist poetry flourished, exemplified by the Garcilaso group and the Generation of ’36, often labeled “rooted” poetry. Alongside this, a poetry of existential angst emerged, associated
Read MoreRomantic and Post-Romantic Literature
Romantic Poetry (Mid-19th Century)
Lyric poetry flourished during the Romantic period, expressing themes of love, disappointment, loneliness, dreams, and ideals. Key figures include Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Heinrich Heine, Lord Byron, and Victor Hugo.
Lyrical Poetry
Romantic lyricism was characterized by a rhetorical and bombastic style, rich in exclamations. In terms of meter, Romantic poetry introduced numerous formal innovations, reflecting the ideal of creative freedom and the importance of
Read More20th-Century Spanish Poetry and Theater: An Overview
20th-Century Spanish Poetry and Theater
Poetry 40: Rooted
Poets aligned with the Franco regime’s ideology and aesthetics. Works: Journal of the Heap and Garcilaso. Author: Miguel Hernandez.
Uprooted
Poets who remained silent, awaiting better times to express their pain. Works: Shadow of Paradise and Anger. Authors: Vicente Aleixandre and Damaso Alonso.
Poetry 40: Socially Conscious
Poets believed poetry should be a means to change society. They focused on social issues, especially disparities. Topics:
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