20th Century Spanish Drama Before 1939: From Modernism to Lorca
20th Century Spanish Drama Before 1939
Late 19th and Early 20th Century
In the late 19th century, Spanish theatre was dominated by “high comedy” as represented by Echegaray and his followers. These melodramas sought to thrill audiences with dramatic effects and often gory scenes. However, the evolving public taste and limited interest from theatre managers prevented significant renewal of the theatre scene.
The first third of the 20th century saw the survival of several theatrical trends:
- Bourgeois
18th Century Cultural Movement: The Enlightenment and The Baroque
The Enlightenment
Illustration: It was an 18th-century cultural movement that dispelled the ‘darkness’ of earlier centuries (Baroque, pessimism) with reason and human intelligence. It is thus called the Age of Enlightenment. This cultural movement developed mainly in France, Germany, and England, spreading across Europe and affecting Spain. The ideological principles of the Enlightenment are based on the rationalism of Kant, critical thinking, the search for scientific truth, and education and culture.
Read MoreSpanish Literature: Golden Age Novels Overview
Spanish Literature: Golden Age Novels
Byzantine Novel
The discovery of Ethiopian texts and their translations introduced the Greek novel of adventure to the Renaissance, giving rise to the Byzantine romance or adventure novel. This subgenre gained popularity due to the public’s fascination with sea voyages and geographical discoveries.
History:
These novels typically feature a pair of young lovers separated and eventually reunited. The narrative revolves around a journey filled with obstacles that hinder
Read MoreThe Generation of ’98: A Literary Renaissance in Spain
1. Origins and Influences
The Generation of ’98, named after the year Spain lost its last overseas colonies, arose from a need for cultural and literary regeneration. The “Manifesto of the Three,” signed by Azorín, Unamuno, Ramiro de Maeztu, denounced the country’s situation. This led to an idealistic and conservative evolution within the group, focusing on social rather than spiritual guidance. The Generation of ’98 was defined by its rebellion against political corruption, the loss of the colonies,
Read MoreThe Generation of ’98: A Literary Renaissance in Spain
1.2. The Generation of ’98: Themes, Style, and Members
Themes
Problems in Spain:
The Generation of ’98 focused on the so-called “tema de España,” which sought to define Spain’s identity through its landscape, people, history, and literary tradition. Writers adopted two opposing attitudes: critical and exalting. They denounced poverty, neglect, ignorance, and the country’s decline, but also celebrated the beauty, vibrancy, and spirituality of the land and its people.
Politics:
Initially, they held progressive
The Generation of ’98: Exploring Spanish Identity and Literature
1.2. The Generation of ’98: Themes, Style, Members
Themes:
Problems in Spain:
The Generation of ’98 focused on the so-called “tema de España,” seeking Spain’s identity through its landscape, people, history, and literary tradition. Writers took two opposing attitudes: critical and exalting. They denounced poverty, neglect, ignorance, and the country’s decline, but also found beauty, vibrancy, and spirituality in the land and its people.
Politics:
Initially, they held progressive ideas, sometimes bordering