Romantic & Reneixença Poetry: Key Authors & Themes
Romantic Lyric Poetry: An Overview
Romantic lyric poetry stands out as being suitable for the expression of feelings. In Germany, Goethe was a prominent author. In England, Byron, author of The Corsair, is a prototypical romantic hero.
Two Kinds of Poetry
- Lyric Poetry: Focuses on the expression of feelings. The style is often rhetorical and bombastic. The metric is innovative, employing polymetry. Main themes include feelings, the ideal woman, the broken heart, and the landscape reflecting the poet’
Celestina: Religious Heritage and Theatrical Vitality
This document explores the religious heritage and theatrical vitality of the fifteenth-century play, Celestina.
Authors and Themes
The play features profane themes, poetic verses, and a variety of characters. It distinguishes between two main types:
- Religious drama: Related to the life of Jesus.
- Profane theater: Pieces mocking derision of games, themes of love, and pastoral settings.
Authorship and Publishing
The play’s initial publication occurred in Burgos in 1499, comprising 16 acts. Later editions
Read MoreValle-Inclán, Baroja, and Generation of ’27: Spanish Literature
Ramón del Valle-Inclán
Born in Pontevedra, Spain, Ramón del Valle-Inclán’s family intended for him to study law. However, he abandoned his studies to pursue his literary vocation in Madrid. He was a man dedicated to literature, and his extravagant figure is notable. His thought was an image of opposition to the politics and society of his time. He opted for two routes: escape and criticism. The first was an escape or evasion to an archaic and traditional society, represented by the Carlist current,
Read MoreSpanish Golden Age Comedy: Lope de Vega and Don Juan
17th Century Spanish Comedy
Theatrical representation in 17th-century Spain had a fixed place of performance: the *corrales de comedias*. Initially, the stage was minimal, but over time, it became more sophisticated. Plays were divided into three acts.
Structure of a Play
The performance began with the author appearing and a celebration to engage the audience. This led to the first act. After the first act, a *loa* (a short, burlesque play) entertained the audience. Following the *loa*, the second
Read MoreCastilian 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
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