Spanish Literature of the Early Renaissance: Idealism, Realism, and Spirituality
Spanish Literature of the Early Renaissance
1. The Idealist Narrative
The idealist narrative presents an idealized world with fantastic characters and implausible plots.
1.1 The Romance of Chivalry
Originating in medieval times, the chivalric genre flourished during the sixteenth century. Key works include:
- Tirant lo Blanc (1490): Written in Catalan and later translated into Castilian, Cervantes considered it one of the best books for its style.
- Amadis of Gaul (1508): Published by Garcia Rodriguez, it
Romanticism: A Deep Dive into 19th-Century Literature and Art
Romanticism
Historical Framework
The 19th century began with Napoleon’s invasion of Spain in 1808, the subsequent War of Independence (1808-1814), and the return of King Ferdinand VII, who restored absolute monarchy. Constant disputes arose between absolutists (supporters of the king’s full powers) and liberals (defending national sovereignty and civil liberties), leading to the exile of many intellectuals, primarily to France and England. Upon the king’s death, these intellectuals returned, contributing
Read MoreSpanish Theater: From Medieval to Baroque
The Communication Stage
The Rule of Three Units
- Unit of Action: The focus should concentrate on a single action or plot.
- Unit of Time: The events of the plot should not extend beyond one day.
- Unit of Place: The plot should unfold in a single location.
The Basis of Theatrical Expression
A play is meant to be performed. The playwright’s message is a dramatic action brought to life by actors. A dramatic text, written in prose or verse, contains character dialogues and stage directions. These directions are
Read More19th Century Spanish Literature
Author: Joseph Espronceda
Poetry
His life was passionate and idealistic, finding success in England and France. His most famous poem was inspired by the curse and marginal characters (including a beggar and an executioner). He dedicated poems to them, such as The Song of the Pirate. His major work is The Student of Salamanca, a long narrative poem. This book tells the story of Don Félix de Montemar, an unscrupulous seducer who abandons Doña Elvira after seducing her. She dies for love. Don Felix
Read MoreSpanish Romanticism: A Literary and Cultural Revolution
1. Introduction
The Romantic movement was a profound cultural revolution that introduced a new sensibility. Subjectivity became paramount, often in conflict with the world. The emergence of this new aesthetic in Spain coincided with the development of the bourgeoisie and a new social and economic order. In literature, the movement triumphed in theater. Narrative titles followed new approaches, modeled after the work of Sir Walter Scott. Poetry developed later.
2. Historical and Cultural Context
Amidst
Read More16th-Century Literary Renewal
XVI Century: The Renewal (1492-1789)
Transition from the Middle Ages
This era, spanning from the discovery of America in 1492 to the French Revolution in 1789, marked significant shifts from the medieval period:
- Politics: Emergence of modern nations governed by absolute monarchies. In Spain, this began in the 16th century with the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, uniting the crowns of Castile and Aragon. They were succeeded by Charles I, also heir to the German Empire. This period of expansion concluded