Antonio Machado’s ‘Solitudes’: Analysis & Themes
Antonio Machado’s ‘Solitudes’: A Deep Dive into Poem ‘X’
The poem, referred to as ‘X’, is found in Antonio Machado’s first book of poems, Solitudes (Soledades). In his youth, Machado was drawn to modernist aesthetics, particularly the influence of Romantic symbolists. This poem reflects those influences, focusing on the intimate and the poet’s dreams, presented as a form of insight. The themes are characteristic of post-romantic intimacy: love, the passage of time, loneliness, dreams, and memories.
Read MorePre-Renaissance Spanish Literature: Romancero & Poetry
Pre-Renaissance Spanish Literature
Romancero Viejo
Romancero Viejo (Old Romancero) refers to the epic-lyric compositions that arose from the fragmentation of ancient songs of chivalry. From the late fourteenth century, they were transmitted orally. Authors collected and included them in Cancioneros and Romanceros. From these Romanceros, Cervantes and Góngora made new or artistic ballads; they are written and transmitted outside the oral tradition and are of a more refined nature.
Themes
- Historical-
Alliterative Revival in Middle English Poetry (1350-1500)
Medieval Poetry and the Alliterative Revival (1350-1500)
Medieval poetry flourished in the Chaucerian period (1350-1400). In the fifteenth century, along with some imitations of Chaucer, English literature included works by Lydgate, Hoccleve, and popular ballads. Poets of the 14th and 15th centuries developed a variety of pre-existing forms, such as alliterative verse in rhyming stanzas and alliterative rhyming prose. These poems often possess high literary quality.
The Alliterative Revival refers
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Lope de Vega and the New Comedy
Lope de Vega was the founder of the *New Comedy*, featuring fast-paced action. He led an intense life, filled with great passion and love. The immense success of his works made him a very popular man.
Tirso de Molina
Tirso de Molina, a follower of Lope de Vega, respected the features of the *New Comedy* and emphasized determined and intelligent women. He is the author of *The Trickster of Seville*. Don Juan Tenorio, the protagonist, is a young conqueror who seduces and
Read MoreEnglish Monarchy: Key Figures and Events
How was William I Known?
– William “the Conqueror”
Why was Henry II Important?
– He was the first undisputed king of England. He owned the largest territory for that time.
Why Didn’t Henry II’s Daughter, Matilda, Follow His Father?
– Because Henry had a fight with Matilda’s husband.
What’s the Relationship Between Richard I and Henry II?
– Henry was Richard’s father.
How was Richard I Known?
– Richard “the Lion Heart”
Why Do People Consider Richard I One of the Greatest Kings?
– Because he
Read MoreEarly Anglo-Saxon Religious Poetry
The Finnesburh Fragment
It is a fragment of 500 lines, incomplete both at the beginning and at the end. The hero, Hengest, has been identified with the leader who led the first Germanic settlers in England, so it was probably very interesting for an Anglo-Saxon audience. Fortunately, more of this story is included in a digression on Beowulf.
The fragment shows joy in a physical combat under a heroical code. There’s also an effective use of direct speech and rapid descriptions.
Waldere
It consists of
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