17th-Century Spanish Literature: Baroque Era
Item 16: 17th-Century Spanish Literature
Historical and Cultural Context
History & Society
The 17th century in Spain was marked by social and political decay. It was the era of absolute monarchy, where luxury and misery coexisted, revitalizing old social and religious prejudices. Political and social discontent manifested itself repeatedly. Spanish society showed great contrasts: the misery caused depopulation of the countryside, hunger, and an abundance of beggars, coexisting with a taste for
Read MoreRomanticism: A Deep Dive into the 19th-Century Literary Movement
Romanticism
Introduction
Romanticism, a literary movement originating in Germany and England during the first half of the 19th century, gained prominence in Spain after the death of Ferdinand VII in 1833, with the return of exiled Liberals embracing romantic ideals. The movement’s triumph in Spain is marked by the premiere of plays like The Conspiracy of Venice by the Duke of Rivas in 1834 and Don Álvaro o The Force of Destiny in 1835. Its heyday spanned from 1835 to 1840.
Key Features of Romanticism
- Individual
Literary Text Analysis: Genres, Movements, and Trends
Literary Text Analysis
Definition
A literary text is a complex act of communication where the message is central. The poetic function is subjective, originating from the author. Writing is the channel, allowing the message to reach the reader or listener. Transmission can be oral or written. The context encompasses historical and social circumstances. The code is the literary language.
Literary Language
Literary language possesses artistic qualities, evoking pleasure and surprise through musicality
Read MoreNoucentisme and Juan Ramón Jiménez
Noucentisme and the Generation of ’14
Introduction
Noucentisme, Generation of ’14, or Vanguards are the generic names of a primarily literary aesthetic movement. This movement gathered authors, mostly essayists, situated between the Generation of ’98 and the Generation of ’27. The term Noucentisme, coined in Catalan by Eugenio d’Ors as noucentisme, refers to the Catalan authors who emerged from the Renaixença and aimed to elevate Catalan culture to a European level. They sought beauty and formal
Read More16th-Century Renaissance: Literature, Art, and Culture
The 16th-Century Renaissance
A Changing World
The Renaissance, originating in 15th-century Italy, flourished across Europe during the 16th century. This era marked a significant shift from the medieval worldview:
- Humanism: This new mentality separated the supernatural and human realms. God was no longer the universe’s center, and human reason gained prominence.
- Religion: While initially less central, religion regained importance in the latter half of the 16th century due to the Protestant Reformation
17th Century Spanish Theater: A Golden Age
XVII Century Spanish Theater: A Golden Age
The Rise of Spanish Theater
The seventeenth century marks a golden age for Spanish theater, distinguished by its prolific authors, exceptional works, and significant social impact. This flourishing period was largely due to the contributions of Lope de Vega, whose innovative “New Comedy” shaped the landscape of Spanish drama.
New Comedy: Lope de Vega’s Innovation
Lope de Vega introduced groundbreaking changes to dramatic structure and style:
- Plays disregarded