17th Century Spanish Literature: Baroque and Decline

Posted on Sep 25, 2024 in Latin

Background: 17th Century Spain

In the 17th century, Spain’s power began to decline. The reign of Philip III marked the first signs of this depletion, a trend that continued through subsequent reigns. Spain gradually lost its European territories and its prominent political role.

Social Context

The Economy

Economics played a decisive role in the 17th-century crisis. Spain failed to capitalize on the riches from the Americas, which often ended up in the hands of lenders. Economic recovery was only seen in the last two decades of the century.

Social Classes

  • Aristocracy: This minority increased its power, supporting the monarchy to secure its privileges. They disdained work and commerce, leading to their progressive impoverishment.
  • Bourgeoisie: This social class remained underdeveloped compared to other European countries.
  • Peasantry: They suffered hardships in the countryside and were burdened by taxes.

Religion and Society

Old Christians boasted of having no Jewish or Moorish ancestors. This ideology led to the expulsion of the Moors in the early 17th century.

Cultural Context

Pessimism and Disappointment

The 17th century saw the rise of the Baroque, reflecting a distressing worldview. Literature and art expressed this attitude through:

  1. Disenchantment with political and social aspects.
  2. Disappointment in human expectations.
  3. Pessimism and doubt.
  4. Obsession with time.
  5. Desolation in contemplating the ruins of ancient cities.
  6. The vanity of existence.
  7. Life viewed as a dream.

Politics, Society, and Art

These were intimately linked, with art serving as propaganda.

Conceptism and Culteranismo

Two main Baroque tendencies emerged: Conceptism and Culteranismo. Both broke with the Renaissance balance.

Culteranismo

This style artificially exaggerated cultivated forms of language and imagery to create an illusion of beauty.

  1. Its main representative was Luis de Góngora, who sought to create a distinct poetic language.
  2. It emphasized formal beauty, brilliance, and sensory richness.
  3. It employed elaborate language and literary resources from the previous century.

Conceptism

This style involved ingenious wordplay, paradoxes, and concepts.

  1. Its main representatives were Francisco de Quevedo and Baltasar Gracián.
  2. It emphasized concise and dense expression, wit, and sharpness, using ellipses and paradoxes.

Luis de Góngora

Góngora cultivated both traditional and popular poetic forms, ranging in tone from serious and noble to comical.

Letrillas and Romances

  1. Góngora’s skill is evident in these forms, maintaining their vibrancy and charm while incorporating his elaborate style.
  2. His romances cover diverse themes: love, religion, mythology, etc.

Sonnets

Góngora also mastered the sonnet form. Themes of love and disappointment permeate these complex poems, showcasing his elaborate language and use of hyperbaton and metonymy.

Major Poems

  1. Fable of Polyphemus and Galatea: Based on Ovid, this poem tells of the Cyclops Polyphemus’s love for Galatea and his jealousy of Acis. Góngora’s originality lies in the poem’s construction and modulation.
  2. Soledades: This unfinished poem describes a young castaway disillusioned with love. Góngora’s elaborate language is on full display.

Francisco de Quevedo

Quevedo was a renowned poet, writing sonnets, ballads, and other forms. His works varied in content, tone, and intention, ranging from grotesque to sublime. He also wrote prose, including political writings and satirical plays.

Poetic Works

Quevedo’s mastery of language and poetic resources is evident in his rich expressiveness, thematic variety, and wit.

  • Love Poetry: Following the conventions of the era’s love lyrics, Quevedo infused these poems with genuine feeling.
  • Metaphysical Poetry: These poems explore themes of anguish, disappointment, and death.
  • Moral Poetry: Quevedo adopted the role of the Baroque moralist, criticizing human weaknesses.
  • Satirical Poetry: Quevedo’s satirical poetry is unmatched, targeting various subjects, including 17th-century society, writers, historical figures, and literary heroes.