Lazarillo de Tormes and Spanish Literature of the Golden Age
Garcilaso de la Vega
Garcilaso de la Vega was one of the most important poets of the Spanish Renaissance (sixteenth century). Born in 1501, he participated in diverse military campaigns for Charles V. He died in the service of the Emperor in Nice in 1536, from wounds sustained during an assault on a fortress. He embodied two conditions: warrior and man of letters. He is a perfect example of a Renaissance courtier.
His production highlights 3 Eglogas (a poetic composition starring shepherds who discuss
Read MoreThe Generation of ’98 and Beyond: A Literary History of Spain
The Generation of ’98
Origins and Characteristics
The term “Generation of ’98” first appeared in 1908, referring to a group of young intellectuals born after the Spanish-American War (1898). This group, including Miguel de Unamuno, Pío Baroja, Azorín, Ramiro de Maeztu, and Ramón del Valle-Inclán, shared a deep concern for Spain’s decline and sought to revitalize its culture and identity.
Key characteristics of the Generation of ’98 include:
- Idealism and Anti-Romanticism: They rejected the sentimentalism
Catalan Literature of the 50s and 60s: A Renewal
Catalan Literature: Post-War Renaissance (1950s-1960s)
Resurgence in the 50s and 60s
Franco’s Dictatorship and Cultural Resistance
In the late 1940s and especially the 1950s, Franco’s dictatorship in Spain stabilized. Actions like joining UNESCO in 1952, signing the Concordat with the Vatican in 1953, and becoming part of the UN in 1955 signaled the regime’s longevity. This stability fostered cultural activity, both clandestine and overt. Underground networks of intellectuals met in forums and published
Read MoreThe Spanish Language in America: History, Variations, and Influences
The Spanish Language in America
History and Distribution
Castilian Spanish was brought to America by the conquistadors starting in 1492. Today, 90% of Spanish speakers reside in Latin America, where it is the official language in 19 countries, as well as in US territories. While educated speakers across Latin America and Spain maintain relatively few differences, there is significant linguistic diversity among the general population.
Linguistic Variations in Latin America
Geographical and Historical
Read More20th Century Spanish Literature: Movements and Authors
20th Century Spanish Literature
Early 20th Century Literature
In the early years of the 20th century, aestheticism and anti-realist movements, initiated in the late 19th century, flourished. These movements were characterized by their cult of beauty and included:
- The Pre-Raphaelite movement in Britain
- Parnassianism and Symbolism in France
- Modernism in Hispanic America and Spain
The interwar avant-garde consolidated and violently broke with previous aesthetic art, proposing a radically different and anti-
Read MoreNarrative Renewal in the Spanish Novel: From Social Realism to the 60s
From Rural Medicine to a New Era
Peter’s dismissal from the research center and his subsequent work in rural medicine mark a shift in the narrative technique, paving the way for a resurgence of the novel as a genre. This change in direction is evident in the works of the Generation of 50 authors, who adapted their writing to reflect the changing times.
The Renewal of the 60s Narrative: The Novel Structure
Spain’s Changing Landscape
The 1960s witnessed significant political, social, and economic transformations
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