Medieval & Renaissance Spanish Literature: Prose, Poetry, and Drama
Medieval Prose in Europe
Influences from the East
Medieval prose in Europe was influenced by collections of short stories of Indian origin, such as Kalila and Dimna and Sendebar.
Boccaccio’s Decameron
Giovanni Boccaccio wrote The Decameron, a collection of novellas, in Italy during the 14th century.
Alfonso X the Wise (13th Century)
In Spain, Alfonso X fostered a diverse intellectual environment at his court, where wise Christians, Arabs, and Jewish scholars gathered, forming the School of Translators
Read MoreNeoclassicism and Romanticism in Spanish Literature
1. Neoclassicism (18th Century)
1.1 Didactic Fables
Fables exemplify the dual purpose of Neoclassical literature: to be both useful and delightful. Typically written in verse, with a simple meter (e.g., eight-syllable assonant verses), they present short, humorous stories culminating in a moral lesson. Characters, often animals, embody human virtues and shortcomings. Key fabulists include Félix María Samaniego and Tomás de Iriarte, known for works like The Donkey Flutist.
1.2 Pictorial Essays
Gaspar
Read MoreEarly 20th Century Spanish Theater: Trends and Innovations
Prior to the Theater of 1936
Background
The Theater at the End of the 19th Century
The second half of the nineteenth century is the era of so-called high comedy (a kind of realistic drama set in the salons of high society and used to raise a moral argument). The most significant author was José Echegaray, author of works like “The Great Galeotti”. His neo-romantic drama, written in verse, featured a rhetorical style and outdated themes, completely detached from reality. An attempt at renovating the
Read MoreSpanish Theater: Middle Ages to Baroque
The Rise of Peninsular Theater
Middle Ages
Religious drama, tied to festivals and religious ceremonies, was prominent during the Middle Ages.
Renaissance
New trends emerged during the Renaissance:
- Italianate Theater: Juan del Encina created various theatrical eclogues.
- Classical Theater: This style followed Greco-Roman models.
- National Theater: Juan de la Cueva wrote dramas based on national history.
- Popular Theater: Lope de Rueda wrote pasos (short, humorous pieces based on comic situations), such as
Spanish Golden Age Literature: A Comprehensive Overview
Gómez Manrique
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 known for a new verse form, the sextuplet manriqueña, or broken-foot couplet. As a playwright, Manrique continued the Castilian tradition of liturgical dramas. His works include:
- Representación del Nacimiento de Nuestro Señor (Representation
20th-Century Spanish Theater: From Civil War to Modern Trends
20th-Century Spanish Theater
Introduction
During the Spanish Civil War, theater became a tool for political propaganda, used by both the Falange and guerrilla groups. Heroic and patriotic dramas were popular, alongside high comedy, drama, and musical revues. The early works of Antonio Buero Vallejo and Alfonso Sastre introduced existential and social themes, along with a more refined theatrical language. These playwrights were followed by others who navigated censorship, some facing outright bans.
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