Spanish Theater and Literature: From Renaissance to Baroque
Theory: Theater
Origins of Spanish Theater
The origins of theater in Spain are rooted in two religious festivals: Christmas and Easter. Initially, scenes from the life of Jesus were represented at the altar following religious ceremonies. Gradually, secular elements were introduced into these scenes, moving them outside the realm of religion and transforming them into a form of theater performed in church courtyards. Eventually, the secular elements superseded the religious ones, and theater evolved
Read MoreAnalysis of Literary Texts: Narrative, Lyrical, and Theatrical
Lyrical Texts
Characteristics
- Expressive function dominates.
- Themes are universal and related to human existence: love, death, solitude, nature.
- Verse form is common.
- Rhythmic organization and repetition of lexical or grammatical structures.
- Abundance of rhetorical figures.
Linguistic Features
- Use of 1st and 2nd person.
- Predominance of nominal constructions.
- Evaluative adjectives reflect the author’s point of view.
- Subjectivity reflected in exclamations, questions, and rhetorical devices.
Narrative Texts
Narrative
Read MoreAnalysis of Love Sonnets by Lope de Vega
Love Sonnets – Lope de Vega
Go and Staying
Analysis
This love poem’s main theme is the absence of the loved one, separation. It uses imagery characterizing love, verbs, opposites, and even a reference to mythology.
From the first verse, opposite verbs are played (Go and stay, and be split), attempting to explain that in the absence of the beloved, a part of you goes, but your mind stays with her, and your heart breaks in two (without a soul and go from soulful others), as if your soul was with her and
Read MoreRomanticism and Realism in 19th-Century Literature
Romanticism
Development and Origins
Romanticism developed during the first half of the 19th century, with roots in the late 18th century. It was a movement that exalted feelings and emotions and their impact on all aspects of life. Romanticists championed individual freedom and expressed dissatisfaction with societal constraints. New laws were drafted that recognized the rights of individuals and peoples to express themselves and embrace their identities.
Society and Culture in the 19th Century
The
Read MoreRenaissance Literature: From Humanism to Mysticism
Renaissance Literature: A Journey from Humanism to Mysticism
Europe in the 15th-17th Centuries: A Time of Change
The Renaissance (15th-17th centuries) was a period of significant transformation in Europe, marked by the rediscovery of classical Greek and Roman culture, the rise of humanism, and the exploration of new worlds. The contact with Turkish trade and the Spanish colonization of America spurred the formation of modern states. In Italy, the Spanish presence brought the influence of the Quattrocento,
Read MoreRomanticism and Neoclassicism in Spanish Literature
Romanticism
Definition
A cultural and political movement originating in Germany and the United Kingdom in the late 18th century. It emerged as a revolutionary reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and Classicism, emphasizing emotion and feeling.
Key Features
Romanticism’s core principle is a departure from classical tradition and its rigid rules. The movement champions the pursuit of freedom, leading to its revolutionary character. Romanticism’s interpretation of nature, life, and humanity
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