Romanticism and Realism in 19th Century Spanish Literature
Romanticism: An Artistic Movement in 19th Century Europe
Romanticism was an artistic movement that triumphed across Europe in the 19th century. Although it appeared in most countries in the late 18th century, starting in Germany and England, in Spain, it began with the return of exiled liberals after the death of Fernando VII. The decline of the Romantic movement began around 1850. However, in Spain, we can speak of a post-Romanticism period after 1850. Notable figures of this era include Rosalía
Read MoreQuevedo’s Poetic Legacy: Themes, Style, and Influence
Quevedo’s Poetic Legacy
Francisco de Quevedo’s work was well-known, although he was a very young poet in his time. He failed to see his poetry published in his lifetime. In 1648, his friend Gonzalez de Salas published a good number of them, excluding the compositions that did not seem relevant, and corrected in his own hand the ones that were edited. A nephew of the writer published in 1670 another part of his poetic texts, but also with various disorders. All of this means that Quevedo’s poetry
Read MoreEnglish Literature: A Historical Timeline
1. Old English – 5th Century: The Migration of the Peoples
Heroic, Religious, Elegiac
- Beowulf (unknown author) – Beowulf kills the monster Grendel and his mother, then a dragon, and dies (themes of loyalty and honor).
- Cynewulf – “The Dream of the Rood” (1st English poet)
2. Middle English – 1066: The Norman Conquest (William the Conqueror)
- Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400)
- The Pardoner’s Tale – Three men find florins under a tree, kill one another, and all die in the name of money.
3. The Renaissance – 1485:
Read MoreRenaissance: Art, Literature, and Cultural Transformation
Renaissance: A Cultural Transformation
RENAISSANCE: A profound and complex transformation of human culture is seen in all areas of life. It also jumps to artistic ideals, literary and philosophical world of Greco-Latino origin. It appears in Italy in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries and extends to other countries.
Origin of the Renaissance
In the late Middle Ages, the bourgeoisie is engaged in commercial activities, leading to economic prosperity. They try to imitate the Greek and Latin classics.
Read MoreGeoffrey Chaucer’s Literary Works and Influences
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) and His Works
It was once customary to divide Chaucer’s literary career into three periods:
- The French period (to 1372)
- The Italian period (to 1385)
- The English period (to 1400)
This categorization should not be taken as watertight; it is valid for didactic purposes.
The courtly lyrics Chaucer wrote in the manner of contemporaneous French poets might well be mentioned first, although there is no way of dating most of these little poems. And they present to us the familiar
Read MoreRenaissance, Illustration, and Baroque: Artistic and Literary Movements
Renaissance
The Renaissance marked a revaluation of classical Greek and Latin culture. It is considered a period bridging the Middle Ages and the Roman era. Originating in Italy in the 15th century, it was influenced by humanism from the 14th century. The Renaissance had a significant impact on the arts, with figures like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. It shifted focus from a theocentric to an anthropocentric view, emphasizing human potential and classical studies. Thinkers like Erasmus of Rotterdam
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