Shakespearean Criticism: From Neoclassical to Hamlet’s Analysis
Critical Approaches to Shakespeare
17th Century (Neoclassical Criticism)
Ben Jonson: Shakespeare was a poet “not of an age, but for all time.” Criticized for not following Aristotelian rules but praised for his “Nature” and “Fancy.”
John Dryden: Highlighted Shakespeare’s “Images of Nature” but noted flaws in judgment and language. Adapted some of Shakespeare’s plays.
Thomas Rymer: Harshly criticized Shakespeare for ignoring classical unities and blending comedy and tragedy.
18th Century (Editorial Criticism)
Read MoreAvant-Garde Movements: Futurism, Cubism, Surrealism in Europe and Spain
Avant-Garde Movements in Art and Literature
Avant-garde reacted against the values, aesthetic production, and literary tradition of the bourgeoisie of the time.
General Features of Avant-Garde Movements
- Formation of trend groups, the statement of principles in manifestos, and the publication of works in literary magazines.
- Opposition to the previous cultural and artistic tradition and a desire to make a total change.
- Rejection of the imitation of reality, verisimilitude (anti-realism), and therefore,
Spanish Modernism and the Generation of 98: Key Features and Influences
Spanish Modernism and the Generation of 98
The Modernism movement rejected the rhetoric of Romanticism. Chronologically, there are two phases in Spanish Modernism: early Modernism and a more controversial, tamed later phase. From 1913, when Azorín used the concept Generation of 98 to refer to the new writers of the time, the distinction spread between authors who took refuge in aestheticism (modernist) and those showing a critical attitude towards reality (Unamuno, Baroja, and Azorín).
One feature
Read MoreSpanish Golden Age Theater and Novel: Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina, Calderón, Cervantes
Spanish Golden Age Theater and Novel
Lope de Vega
Lope de Vega: He created a dramatic new formula that triumphed in the Spanish art scene. His comedies are characterized by:
- Freedom in the choice of topic.
- Mixture of tragic and comic elements.
- Unity of action and freedom of place and time (apart from the classical unities).
- Division into three acts (compared to five in classical comedies: beginning, middle, and end).
- Verisimilitude in the characters’ speech, according to their social status.
- Adequacy of
Spanish Romanticism: Authors, Works, and Themes
Don Juan Tenorio: A Masterpiece of Spanish Romanticism
Don Juan Tenorio, the great religious drama by José Zorrilla, reflects the myth of Don Juan. The most important theme of this work is the freedom to decide an individual’s ability to change their destination by their will, besides love and the mercy of God.
Structure, Time, and Space
The work consists of two parts, of four and three acts each. A contrast is provided between the two parts: the first focuses on the characterization of the protagonist,
Read MoreCatalan Literature: History, Movements, and Key Authors
Catalan Literature: A Historical Overview
Prose:
- Religious and Moral: Ramon Llull laid the foundation for Catalan prose maturity. Eiximenis Francis and St. Vincent Ferrer promoted Christian doctrine.
- Narrative History: Chroniclers like James I, Peter of Aragon, Bernard Desclot, and Ramon Muntaner wrote historiographic tales defending Catalan kings’ policies.
- Moral and Philosophical Prose: Bernat Metge debated classic works on topics like the immortality of the soul and love.
- Chivalric Novel: Curial e