Castilian Language: History and Dialects
The Castilian Language
Castilian is a Romance language derived from Vulgar Latin, enriched by other languages and dialects. It originated in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. When Castile was established as an independent kingdom, the language quickly spread to other areas, influencing neighboring linguistic regions. With the Reconquista, it spread throughout the rest of the peninsula. We have no evidence of the first written Romance language until the 11th century. It was with Alfonso X that Castilian
Read MoreJorge Manrique and La Celestina: Spanish Literature
Jorge Manrique: Life and Work
Jorge Manrique was born in Paredes de Nava, Palencia (1440), the son of the Lord of those lands and military leader Don Rodrigo, defender of the rights to the throne of Isabella the Catholic, compared to La Beltraneja. Upon Don Rodrigo’s death, Jorge Manrique, his son, wrote wonderful funeral verses that immortalized them both. The poet died in a military action defending Queen Isabella in 1479.
He wrote about 50 poems inspired by the courtly fashion of the time. He
Read MoreGeneration of ’27: Authors, Characteristics, and Stages
Generation of ’27
Under this name are grouped a set of escritores (writers) who joined the Spanish literary tradition (songbooks and poets of the Golden Age), leading new trends coming from Europe and adapted to Spain.
The reference date of this generation was 1927 when the Ateneo de Sevilla commemorated the three-hundredth anniversary of the death of Góngora. On this occasion, they met for the first time, and this meeting had a double meaning: they were modeled on the Baroque poet and made a manifesto
Read MoreMedieval and Pre-Renaissance Literature in Spain
Medieval Literature (11th-14th Centuries)
Poetry was popular, encompassing both anonymous, collective, and traditional forms (undergoing a process of reworking) and more cultured forms (with known individual authors and written texts).
Traditional Folk Lyric
This includes:
- Jarchas (in Mozarabic)
- Cantigas de amigo (Galician-Portuguese)
- Villancicos (Castilian)
Their themes were primarily love, dawn songs (meetings of lovers), *May* songs (celebrating spring), sailing songs, and work or travel songs (often
Read MoreSpanish Baroque Literature: Golden Age Drama & Key Figures
The Spanish Baroque: A Cultural Movement
The Baroque was a cultural movement that developed in Spain in the seventeenth century, during what is called the Golden Age.
This period occurred under the reigns of Philip II, Philip IV, and Charles II.
This era was marked by political, economic, and social crises.
The political system of the time was an absolute monarchy, meaning all power rested with the monarch.
The country’s economy was in a very poor state due to epidemics, wars, and bad harvests.
As a result
Read MoreSpanish Poetry After the Civil War: Trends and Key Poets
Spanish Poetry After the Civil War
The Spanish Civil War caused many deaths and exiles, interrupting the natural evolution of Spanish literature. The regime imposed strict censorship on publications expressing even minimal dissent.
Post-War Poetic Trends
Post-war poetry saw two main trends: the rooted and the uprooted.
The Rooted
Represented by authors of the Generation of ’36, compliant with the regime, adopting a classical approach and heroic tone. Notable figures include:
- Luis Rosales (Retablo de Navidad)