Lope de Vega and Calderón de la Barca: Spanish Baroque Theater
Lope de Vega: The Success of His Works
For Lope de Vega, theater had a primary purpose: to entertain the public. As the public enjoyed fables of love (romantic stories), Lope created four characters that are repeated throughout his comedies: the Galán (leading man), the Dama (lady), the Gracioso (funny servant of the Galán), and the Criada (lady’s maid). The Galán and Dama developed a serious plot, while the Gracioso and Criada developed a humorous, parallel story. Thus, his theater became a national
Read MoreRomanticism in 19th Century Spain: A Deep Dive
Romanticism: 19th Century Context and Traits
Historical and Cultural Context of the 19th Century
Political, Economic, and Social Aspects
The first half of the 19th century in Spain was marked by civil wars, military uprisings, and fighting between liberals and absolutists in the first decade, and among moderates and progressives in the following. Amidst constant political changes, the establishment of the capitalist system and the liberal state led to the rise of the bourgeoisie. Secularization enriched
Read MoreTimeline of English Literature and Culture: 800-1674
Anglo-Saxon Culture (800-1066)
Danes Migrate to England (800 AD)
- 597: Rome sent Saint Augustine with 40 monks.
- 650: All of England was Christian.
30,000 lines of Anglo-Saxon poetry have survived to this day. Anglo-Saxon monasteries were copying books from Rome and producing new ones in both Latin and Anglo-Saxon. During that period, the 5th invaders of England (Danes, also known as the Vikings) arrived. Books were ripped in pieces for their rich ornaments, and monks were slaughtered.
The strongest opponent
Read MoreRomantic Literature: Characteristics, Authors, and Themes
Characteristics of Romantic Literature
A consequence of that defense of freedom is the importance attached to originality and individualism: the writer must find their voice and build their own universe. For this reason, the romantic style is usually very lively and rhetorical, to highlight both the author’s personality and the intensity of their feelings.
- The Rebellion: Romantics questioned the morality of their time and bourgeois values. Many texts devoted to marginal characters symbolize their