Baroque Literature: Culteranismo, Key Authors, and Themes
Culteranismo is a tendency within the Baroque period. Its characteristic is the pursuit, exemplified by Luis de Góngora, of creating a cultured and unique poetic language. It emphasizes formal beauty, colorful brilliance, and sensory experiences.
The concept is also represented by Francisco de Quevedo and Baltasar Gracián, who tend towards expressive density, concision, wit, and the use of many figures of speech.
Baroque poetry is a highlight of the 17th century. Its themes include love, morality,
Read MoreThe Influence of Troubadour Poetry on Iberian Lyricism
Cultured Primitive Lyric: Catalan, Galician-Portuguese, and Arabic-Hebrew. The lyric learned in Catalan during the 12th century emerged in Provence, where troubadour poetry influenced Catalonia in the following century. This poetry is reflected in almost 100 songbooks. The troubadour poetic character was created by known authors and expressed in a homogeneous language. It was cultivated by trovadores, whose songs were performed by minstrels. These interpreters were required to be very loyal to the
Read MoreGalician-Portuguese Medieval Poetry: Forms, Themes, and Authors
Friend Songs (Cantigas de Amigo): These are compositions in which the poet puts words into the mouth of a woman who pines for her lover. The fundamental argument revolves around unrequited love. This genre originates from primitive oral poetry that existed in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, often associated with dance, seafaring, and pilgrimages. The word “friend” appears in the first verses of these songs. The older examples have a fully indigenous character, are monologues, and develop
Read MoreLatin American Literature: Movements and Authors
Modernism and Postmodernism
Modernism reached its peak in the early 20th century, with Rubén Darío as its maximum representative. Postmodernism followed, characterized by a stylistic cleansing that moderated the excessive aestheticism of Modernism. It featured a lyrical expressiveness with sincere, human accents and a greater commitment to the social realities of each country. A prominent women’s group emerged during this stage, including:
- Delmira Agustini (Empty Chalices)
- Juana de Ibarbourou (
Roman History: Monarchy, Republic, and Empire
The Roman Monarchy (753-509 BC)
From this time, there is very little reliable data. Rome was ruled by a king, assisted by the Senate and the House of the town. Initially, kings of Rome and the Sabines alternated; the last three kings were Etruscans. It appears that there were seven kings, and the first was Romulus. He surrounded himself with a hundred men, also from neighboring areas. This group was the source of future patricians. They fought against the Sabines because they needed their wives,
Read MoreLove and Death: Themes in Miguel Hernández’s Poetry
Love in the Poetry of Miguel Hernández
Hernandian poetry, we would have to call it love poetry; not a single poem falls outside the meaning of love: love for a woman, a son, people, friendship, and life. M.H.’s loving injury manifests itself in his poetry. At an early stage, echoes are romantic and post-romantic. In the cycle of Expert on Moon, the theme of love is an intention of a sexual nature. In most of the poems, love acquires lightning accent; passion afflicts the poet, tormented by the absence
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