Romanticism and Realism in Spanish Literature
Item 19: Romanticism
Overview
Romanticism, a cultural and artistic movement originating in Germany and England, swiftly spread throughout Europe. It marked the beginning of modernity and laid the foundations for bourgeois liberal state ideology.
Key Features
- Freedom and individualism
- Subjectivity and sentimentality
- Existential angst
- Historicism and nationalism
- Escape from reality and irrationality
Themes and Styles in Romantic Literature
Key themes include freedom, power, justice, destiny, and love.
Evolution
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Spanish Romance
Romance, a quintessential Spanish literary form, thrives in both Iberian and Latin American traditions. This composite metric poem shares its name with a narrative subgenre, but they are distinct entities. Originating in oral tradition, Romance gained popularity in the 15th century, first appearing in written collections known as romanceros. These narrative poems explore diverse subjects, reflecting popular tastes and local traditions. They were recited, chanted, or sung, often with
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The Renaissance
Origins
The Renaissance was a profound transformation of human culture. Economic prosperity allowed intellectuals to rediscover Greek and Latin classics in Italy, particularly within its five prominent states. Fifteenth-century Italy boasted a rich culture with figures like Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, further enriched by the invention of the printing press.
Humanism
Humanism, an intellectual movement originating in fourteenth-century Italy with figures like Petrarch, had key features:
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Romantic Literature
Historical Themes
The Romantic period saw the emergence of exotic and literary characters from the Arab world, such as Don Juan and Don Quixote.
Feelings
Love
Love was portrayed as sentimental, dreamy, melancholic, and passionate.
Women
- The “angel of love”: sweet, innocent, beautiful, and perverse.
- The victim: vengeful and destructive.
Life
The Romantic man, in his search for an impossible dream, struggles to adapt to reality. This leads to anxiety, contempt for life, dangerous adventures,
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Sonnet 18
Analysis
1. Voice & Mood
Voice: The rhetorical question at the beginning serves to introduce the poem and pique the reader’s curiosity. This sets an expectant tone. The poem is written in the second person, addressing a “thee” within the poem, not the reader directly.
Mood: The poem is a compliment to the beloved, praising their beauty. There’s a double attitude of flattery and assurance, culminating in the concept of eternity. A sense of melancholy underlies the last two verses, suggesting
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Romanticism: A Cultural Revolution in 19th Century Europe
Romanticism, spanning Europe during the first half of the nineteenth century, represents a complete renewal of spirit and a unique approach to life, manifested in all cultural spheres. The movement’s initial formulations emerged in 1798 in Germany and England, coinciding with significant political and social changes in Europe between 1789 and 1815:
- Crisis of absolute monarchy and the rise of parliamentary government.
- Triumph of liberalism,