El Cid, Mester de Clerecía, and Celestina: Key Spanish Literature
El Cid: A Hero’s Journey
Cid: This epic poem focuses on the final years of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, El Cid Campeador. The primary source is a fourteenth-century manuscript missing its initial sheet and two interior pages. Another copy from 1207 identifies Per Abbat as the author. The poem portrays the Cid as a model of moderation, prudence, and balance.
The Story of Honor and Shame
The narrative revolves around two central themes: honor and dishonor. Falsely accused, El Cid is banished from Alfonso VI’
Read MoreFlight to Terror: A Pilot’s Drug Trafficking Ordeal
Characters
- Tony: A young commercial pilot living in Miami, Florida.
- José González: The leader of a drug cartel.
- Luis: Works for José.
- Roberto: Works for José.
- Fernando: Roberto’s brother, who also works for José.
- Carmen: The sister of José’s girlfriend, Rosa.
- Manuel: Works for José in Peru.
Story Setting and Summary
The story is set in three different countries: The United States, Colombia and Peru. The main character, Tony, is in constant danger as he gets involved with drug traffickers in Colombia,
Read MoreAqueduct of Segovia & Augustus of Prima Porta: Roman Heritage
Aqueduct of Segovia
The aqueduct begins about 16 km from Segovia, carrying water to the city. It is 728m long, with a minimum height of 7m and a maximum of 29m.
Elements of Support
The pillars and arches are built with large granite boulders without mortar, except for the part where water is piped.
Outer Space
The visible part is divided into two sections: one with 78 arches that gradually increase in height, and another with 44 superimposed double arches. The upper arches are the same height, while
Read MoreSappho, Archilochus, and Pindar: Archaic Greek Poets
Sappho of Lesbos (Archaic)
Sappho was born in 612 BC in Mytilene, Lesbos. She came from an aristocratic family and lived in exile due to civil strife in the city. Upon her return to Mytilene, she founded an academy for girls from noble families, which was called aunts. The aunts were religious institutions that conducted private worship, but in Sappho’s case, the aunts served as a cultural center for learning music, dance, poetry, and the worship of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. This environment
Read MoreVisigothic and Arab Influence in Medieval Catalonia
Visigothic Influence in Catalonia
In 395, the Roman Empire was divided into two: the Western Roman Empire (Rome) and the Eastern Roman Empire (Istanbul). Due to the weakening of its unity, at the beginning of the 5th century, Germanic peoples began expanding their territories. By 415, the Visigoths, who were Roman allies, lived in the lands of the former Roman province of Tarragona. They had Barcelona as a capital and adopted Latin and Christianity. In 476, with the disintegration of the Western
Read MoreCatalan Dialects: A Detailed Comparison
Catalan Dialects: Eastern and Western
Catalan dialects are broadly categorized into two main groups: Eastern and Western. These groups are further subdivided based on specific phonetic, morphological, and lexical features.
Western Catalan
Western Catalan includes Northwestern Catalan and Valencian.
- Northwestern Catalan
- Valencian:
- The digraph “ix” at the end of a word or between vowels is pronounced as a semi-vowel.
- Masculine words ending in “-e” have plurals in “-ns”.
- The first-person singular present indicative