Ancient Greek Sculpture: Evolution and Masterpieces
Greek Sculpture
Greek art seeks knowledge of man and, because of this, makes a rational study of the human body and idealized representations. Greek sculpture, in contrast to the Egyptian law which was based on strict and inflexible rules, evolved over time toward naturalism through three periods or stages:
Archaic Stage (7th-6th Centuries BC)
Its most important features are:
- Represents human figures (naked men and dressed women because the ideal of female beauty at the moment lies in decent attire)
Spanish Narrative: Generation of ’98 and Noucentisme
The Generation of ’98 and Noucentisme in Spanish Narrative
The Generation of ’98
The narrative of the Generation of ’98 emerged during an era dominated by a sense of crisis and cultural decadence. There was a rejection of positivist realism and rationalism. In 1902, four significant works were published in Spain:
- The Will by Azorín
- Love and Pedagogy by Unamuno
- Way of Perfection by Baroja
- Autumn Sonata by Valle-Inclán
These works initiated an innovative path in the novel, culminating in the following
Read MoreCervantes’ Don Quixote: Themes, Characters, and Structure
Don Quixote: A Literary Analysis
Don Quixote is a seminal work of Spanish literature. Part 1 appeared in 1605 under the title “The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha” and consists of a prologue, poems burlesque, and 52 chapters in four parts. Part 2 was published in 1615 under the name “The Ingenious Knight Don Quixote,” consisting of a prologue and 74 chapters. A year before, in 1614, the Second Volume of the Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote de la Mancha appeared, signed by Alonso Fernandez
Read MoreGarcilaso de la Vega: Spanish Renaissance Poet
Garcilaso de la Vega
Work
Garcilaso is one of the greatest Spanish poets, known for formal perfection and significant influence across centuries. However, his poetry remained unpublished during his lifetime. His works were first published in 1543 in Barcelona by the widow of Juan Boscán, who edited the poetry of the two friends in a volume titled *Las obras de Boscán y algunas de Garcilaso de la Vega*.
The Toledo-born author cultivated two types of poetry of the time: traditional Castilian poetry
Read MoreSpanish Narrative Trends: 1940s to 2000s
The 1940s: Evasion and Witness
The end of the Spanish Civil War was marked by a dual approach in the world of narrative:
- Trend-Evasion (Avoidance): This trend remained distant from the problems of society and man.
- Trend-Testimonial (Witness): This trend represented a conformist reaction. Authors in this current depicted sordid environments, violent literature, abnormal characters, angry behavior, and asphyxiating spaces without fuss. The atmosphere of degradation was a kind of implicit social criticism.
Spanish Golden Age Theater: Tirso and Calderón
Tirso de Molina
Foreign History Plays: Works in which the behavior of the characters is very “Hispanicized” (e.g., The Imperial Otto).
In Honor: Rural people are virtuous and represent the purity of blood. Lope thinks we should extol their figure against the crisis in the countryside, which has become a literary topic: “Contempt of court and praise of the village” (e.g., Punishment without Revenge).
Authors of this cycle include Lope de Vega, Guillén de Castro (Las Mocedades del Cid), Luis Vélez
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