Spanish Theater: Early 20th Century Trends
Scheme:
- Traditional Theater:
- Poetic Drama
- Comic Theater
- Benavente Theater
- Innovative Theater:
- The Theater of ’98
- The Theater of ’27
Traditional Theater
During the first third of the twentieth century, two trends dominated the Spanish scene: traditional theater, aimed at a consumer audience, and innovative theater, with a relatively marginal influence on the overall theater scene. Traditional theater presented these aspects:
- A poetic drama of modernist trend, including authors such as Eduardo Marquina, Francisco
Miguel Hernández, Delibes, and Lorca: A Literary Journey
Miguel Hernández (1910-1942)
Miguel Hernández, born in Orihuela in 1910, was largely self-taught. His father discouraged his literary pursuits, preventing him from reading Garcilaso and Calderón. However, he immersed himself in the works of modern classics like Machado and Rubén Darío. His love poetry was influenced by Bécquer, but it was Lorca who had the most profound impact on him.
He fell in love with Josefina Manresa. A trip to Madrid proved unsuccessful in gaining recognition for his
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The Latin American Novel in the Sixties
The 1960s marked the final consecration of the Latin American novel. This was due to both its intrinsic quality and extra-literary factors. Among these factors, we must mention the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, the development of the Spanish publishing industry, and a book policy that attempted to retrieve the Latin American market that existed in Spain before the war. Additionally, many of these novels were translated into English, German, and French, and
Read MoreUnderstanding Lyric Poetry: Forms and Characteristics
Lyric poetry is a distinct literary genre, separate from dramatic narrative. It is associated with poetic content, emotions, and a specific form: the verse. However, verse can also address other issues, such as in narrative poems like “Cantar de Mio Cid”. Additionally, poetry can exist in prose, as seen in “Platero and I” by Juan Ramón Jiménez. Therefore, lyric poetry represents a unique form of communication.
The author, the poet, presents a representation of reality, whether internal or external.
Read MoreSpanish Literature: Late 19th to Early 20th Century
Generation of ’98
The Generation of ’98 reflects the influence of irrational philosophies, such as existentialism and pessimism. These authors show a massive concern for the great themes of human existence in their works. They express concerns about the situation of Spain and attach particular importance to national and individual regeneration. Their national concern became the central theme of their works, exalting the landscape of peoples and raising awareness of distressing aspects of the national
Read MoreCervantes and 17th Century Spanish Prose: An In-Depth Look
Cervantes and 17th Century Spanish Prose
The 17th century saw a flourishing of prose in Spain, with Miguel de Cervantes and Francisco de Quevedo standing as the foremost creators in the field of narrative fiction. During this period, the idealistic novel of previous centuries lost ground to more realistic models, represented by Cervantes, the picaresque novel, and Baltasar Gracián. This century also witnessed a significant surge in historical prose, mysticism, and moral-political doctrine.