Modernism in Spanish Literature: A Renewal of Lyric
Modernism: A Literary Renewal
Late 19th-Century Context
During the latter part of the 19th century, Western society was deeply entrenched in capitalist ideals, prioritizing pragmatism and utilitarianism. However, this did not lead to a more just or equitable world, resulting in a crisis that permeated various fields, including art, science, and philosophy. Irrationalist doctrines gained traction, leading artists to rebel against bourgeois society. They sought refuge in art as a means of self-expression,
Read MoreSpanish Golden Age Theater: From Gómez Manrique to Fernando de Rojas
Gómez Manrique (1412-1490)
Gómez Manrique, nephew of the Marquis of Santillana, was a prominent political figure rather than a man of letters. He opposed Juan II and remained neutral in the conflict between Isabel (the future Queen Isabella I) and Juana la Beltraneja. He is credited with developing a new verse form known as the sextuplet manriqueña or broken-foot couplet.
As a playwright, Manrique continued the Castilian tradition of liturgical dramas. His notable works include:
- Representation of
Baroque and Renaissance Literature
The Theatre in the Baroque
During the seventeenth century, theatre, alongside bullfighting, was the most popular form of entertainment across all social classes. Theatrical performance spaces varied, typically adapting to the nature of the work, the category, and the number of actors. Religious dramas, such as morality plays, were performed in public squares. Court dramas, often with mythological themes, took place in palaces or gardens, showcasing special effects. Popular theatre, inspired by traditional
Read MoreHumanism and Theater in the Royal Chancellery (14th-18th Centuries)
Humanism in the Royal Chancellery
The Rise of the Bourgeoisie
The 14th, 15th, and part of the 16th centuries witnessed a shift from feudalism to a new bourgeois social order. This new social class, the bourgeoisie, emerged within cities, driven by commercial activity. These changes were not only socioeconomic but also ideological. The bourgeoisie championed new values, emphasizing social mobility and personal enrichment through intelligence, wit, and individual talent rather than lineage and traditional
Read MoreRomanticism in 19th Century Europe
Romanticism
Romanticism first appeared in Germany with Goethe’s works, spreading through Europe in the first two decades of the nineteenth century. The Romantic movement advocated for the rebellion of the individual against any rule that prevented the expression of feelings, the desire for absolute freedom, and the pursuit of beauty. It also explored the despair and disillusionment resulting from the individual’s frustration in confronting their ideals of freedom and beauty with the world around
Read MoreThe History of Spanish Literature
The Minstrels
The minstrels were true professional actors who toured towns, courts, castles, religious festivals, and roads reciting or singing poems. The minstrel’s job was called Master of Minstrelsy. The most numerous minstrels recounted the exploits of local heroes and were called minstrels of Deeds.
3.1: Lyrical Forms and Themes of the Renaissance. Garcilaso de la Vega
What sets the lyrical keys of the 16th century apart is the arrival of Petrarchism, a new model of lyrics that transformed the
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