Spanish Romanticism: A Comprehensive Overview
Romanticism in Spain
1. Historical and Cultural Context
The unique historical and political circumstances in Spain during the first third of the 19th century explain the late and unusual development of the Romantic movement in Spanish literature. The War of Independence and the reign of Ferdinand VII prevented Romanticism from flourishing in Spain during its peak years in Europe. Only after Ferdinand VII’s reign and the return of exiles did this style penetrate the country, but with limited strength
Read MoreIntroduction to Literary Genres
Theater
Definition
Theater is the action represented by actors before an audience. The theatrical text is not in itself a complete work. There are two types of theatrical text: dialogue and dimensions (e.g., indications of the decor, setting, entrances). It is divided into parts (in relation to its extension): acts, pictures, and scenes.
Theatrical Genres
Comedy
Comedy originated in classical Greece and dates back to myths and religious festivities. The characters are humble and have flaws. Their vices
Read MoreSpanish Romanticism: History, Characteristics, and Authors
The Romance: Historical and Cultural Context
Features, Authors, and Most Significant Works
The romance emerged in the first half of the nineteenth century as the consequences of the French Revolution reverberated across Europe. Liberals and members of the labor movement clashed with supporters of the ancien régime who resisted the restructuring of social hierarchies.
Romanticism, as a cultural movement, challenged Enlightenment principles. It arose from a profound social and ideological crisis in
Read More18th and 19th Century Literature: Romanticism, Realism, and Enlightenment
19th Century Literature: Romanticism and Realism
1. Romanticism: Poetry and Prose
The emergence of Romanticism wasn’t simultaneous in all nations. In Spain, it entered late, and its decline began around 1850.
1.1 General Characteristics of Romanticism
Romanticism is the product of a deep crisis manifested in ideological and aesthetic trends. It protests against the values imposed by the bourgeois world and rebels against corporations. Romanticism defends the creative power of the spirit, the right to
Read MoreThe Enduring Myth of Don Juan: From Seducer to Symbol
Origin and Myth of Don Juan
The figure of Don Juan Tirso de Molina created by the Burlador of Seville and recreated by José Zorrilla in the nineteenth century in his ‘Don Juan Tenorio’ has been one of the most productive contributions of Spanish literature in European culture:
- Opera: Don Giovanni by Mozart.
- A symphonic poem by Richard Strauss.
- The Don Juan of Molière or Lord Byron.
They show enough of the influence that this character has had over time in the fields of creation. The Don Juan,
Read MoreThe Enduring Myth of Don Juan: From Seducer to Symbol
Origin and Myth of Don Juan
The figure of Don Juan Tirso de Molina created by the Burlador of Seville and recreated by José Zorrilla in the nineteenth century in his ‘Don Juan Tenorio’ has been one of the most productive contributions of Spanish literature in European culture:
- Opera: Don Giovanni by Mozart.
- A symphonic poem by Richard Strauss.
- The Don Juan of Molière or Lord Byron.
They show enough of the influence that this character has had over time in the fields of creation. The Don Juan,
Read More