Antonio Machado: Life, Work, and Poetic Evolution
Antonio Machado: A Literary Journey
Antonio Machado is considered one of the greatest poets of the Generation of ’98 and one of the most significant Spanish poets of all time. While his early poems align with the aesthetics of Modernism, they soon adopt an intimate, Becquerian tone, rich in simple yet powerful symbols. His affiliation with the Generation of ’98 is evident in his appreciation for landscape, his contemplation of time’s passage, his concern for Spain’s situation and future, his skepticism,
Read MoreThe Brocense: A Life and Legacy of Renaissance Scholar
The Brocense: Born in 1523 in Brozas (Cáceres). In Évora and Lisbon, he later studied Latin and humanities, emphasizing very early for their intelligence. In Salamanca, he studied Arts and Theology, which was not completed to pursue his passion: the humanities. He became professor of Rhetoric and Greek Grammar, but never, his specialty. Like many of his contemporaries, he had trouble with the Inquisition. He was indicted twice by the Inquisition; the first time, he was only reprimanded and acquitted.
Read MoreSpanish Golden Age: History, Culture, and Renaissance
The Golden Age of Spain
Historical Events
Three pivotal events marked the beginning of the Golden Age under the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella:
- The end of the Reconquista
- The expulsion of the Jews
- The discovery of America
The Impact of Spanish Arrival in America
The arrival of the Spaniards in America had profound effects:
Economic Impact
- Ports became important trade hubs.
- Food sources became more varied.
- Precious metals were used to pay debts incurred from European wars.
Political Impact
- Spain gained control
Epic Tradition in Restoration and 18th-Century Literature
The Epic Tradition in Restoration and 18th-Century Literature
The aim of this essay is to identify and relate the epic elements found in 18th-century literary production and the Restoration period.
During the Restoration, the literary ideal was characterized by an effort to bring a new refinement to English literature according to sound critical principles of what is fitting and right, with a strong sense of decorum. There was a huge influence from the classics. The ideal in literature was that of
Read MoreMedieval Spanish Literature: Romances, Clerics, and Miracles
The Romance: An Epic Poem
The epic poem of the century often took the form of a romance. In dates such as 14 and 15, a romance is a variable-length poem written in eight-syllable lines with rhyming verses. Assonance and unexpected pairings are common.
Themes
- Historical: Political events in the history of the Christian kingdoms of the Peninsula. These can focus on a character or the funding of a major news broadcast. Events at the border, such as the recapture and reporting of Moorish war developments,
Valencian Romanticism and the Renaixença Movement
1.4 Topics of Romanticism
The “Wrong Century”
The melancholy mood that preceded many young Romantic authors. The necessity of escape from reality.
The Nostalgia of the Past
The yearning for escape led many authors to admire the institution of chivalry.
The “I”
The “I” became the essential Romantic source of inspiration. This led to the rejection of classical artistic rules, considered artificial and inadequate to express the complexity of the human spirit.
Nature
Romantics often poured their feelings into
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