Baroque, Neoclassicism, and Key Literary Figures
Baroque Period: 17th Century
Baroque: 17th century (current political, economic, and social context). Features: A disillusioned, skeptical, and pessimistic vision of reality. The style is based on dynamism, contrast, and artificiality.
Crisis: Economic recession due to trade development and the advancement of the bourgeoisie, leading to stagnation and cities quickly becoming occupied by beggars.
Baroque Literature
- Themes: Moral standards and the transience of life.
- Contrasts: Exploring the ambiguous
Literary Analysis: Jiménez, Baroja, and Unamuno’s Impact
Juan Ramón Jiménez (1881-1958): A Literary Journey
Juan Ramón Jiménez’s work, obretida, extends to the mid-twentieth century and undergoes profound changes. His early works are influenced by the literature of the late 19th century, such as Modernism and Symbolism. In his first books, we see an exalted tone that attenuates later. His themes are nostalgia, death, and mystery, relating to aestheticism and decadence. Symbolism highlights Arias, sad and distant gardens in which there is an erotic
Read MoreSan Juan de la Cruz & Renaissance Prose: Literary Analysis
San Juan de la Cruz (1542-1591)
Life: Born into a humble family, he studied philosophy and theology at the University of Salamanca as a Carmelite. Admiring St. Teresa of Jesus, he became a Discalced Carmelite and dedicated himself to founding new convents. He wrote poems about his religious experiences. Santa Teresa suggested he write comments on the poems to clarify their meaning. He suffered imprisonment on suspicious charges related to religious renewal. His poetry explores the mystical experience
Read MoreSpanish Drama Before the Civil War: Key Authors
Spanish Drama Before the Civil War
Until 1920, there was no noticeable attempt at stage renewal. Authors of the Generation of ’98 and the Generation of ’27 accomplished a task that would lead to innovative creations that have crossed Spanish dramatic borders. Traditional theater was the most popular in these decades, continuing, in large part, from that of the late 19th century.
Jacinto Benavente and Bourgeois Comedy
Jacinto Benavente represents the high bourgeois comedy. His work is characterized
Read MoreVenezuelan Personalities: Contributions to Science, Art, and Literature
Venezuelan Personalities
Rafael Rangel (Medical Research)
Rafael Rangel was born on April 25, 1877, in Betijoque, Trujillo State. One of his professors was Dr. José Gregorio Hernández, whom he considered a master. Rangel’s economic situation as a student was very difficult; he slept in a hallway at the University of San Francisco on a door supported by two barrels of cement. His life was dedicated entirely to research. He dedicated himself to the study of anatomy, histology, bacteriology, medical
Read MoreReality, Poetry, and Themes in The House of Bernarda Alba
Reality and Poetry in The House of Bernarda Alba
In The House of Bernarda Alba, Lorca combines reality and poetry. The work transcends the boundaries of realism. However, characters, situations, and space are all viewed from a poetic dimension: exaggeration, the marked differences between old Angus and Pepe among the Romans, and the structuring of the work. We see a level of poetization of reality. Lorca’s greatest merit is having integrated poetic language into the speech of the characters, making
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