18th & 19th Century Spanish Literature: Enlightenment to Realism
18th & 19th Century Spanish Literature
Enlightenment (18th Century)
The 18th century, known as the Enlightenment or Age of Reason, saw Spanish literature take on a didactic and utilitarian function. Rationalism and reformist ideals prevailed, with a focus on the relationship between nature and progress. The essay became a prominent genre, reflecting the belief that literature should disseminate knowledge.
Key figures in prose include:
- Diego de Torres Villarroel (Baroque style)
- José Francisco de la Isla (satirical style)
- Benito Jerónimo Feijoo
Ignacio Luzán outlined classical guidelines for poets. José Cadalso, bridging Enlightenment ideals and nostalgia, achieved acclaim with his prose, notably Letters Marruecas. Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, influential in the Enlightenment movement, contributed significant essays, including Report on Public Entertainment, Report on the Agrarian Law, and Report on Public Education.
Poetry transitioned from the Rococo style to Neoclassicism. Notable poets include Nicolás Fernández de Moratín, José Cadalso, Vicente García de la Huerta, Leandro Fernández de Moratín, and fabulists Tomás de Iriarte and Félix María Samaniego. Pre-Romantic poetry, with a social tone, emerged with poets like Juan Meléndez Valdés, known for his Anacreontic style and philosophical compositions.
Theater, despite facing repression, saw the rise of the Sainete (satire), Sentimental Comedy, and Neoclassical Comedy. Tomás de Iriarte (The Pampered Master, The Spoiled Miss) and Leandro Fernández de Moratín (The New Comedy or The Cafe, The Prude, The Maiden’s Consent) led the way, emphasizing didacticism and realism.
Romanticism (19th Century)
Romanticism, a reaction against the Enlightenment, arose from social and political upheaval. Characterized by irrationalism, subjectivism, individualism, and escapism, it manifested in traditional and liberal forms. The 1830s and 1840s marked the peak of Romanticism in Spain.
José Zorrilla, known for his plays and poetry, exemplified Romantic lyricism. José de Espronceda, with his rebellious spirit, excelled in both lyrical (Song of the Pirate, The Executioner’s Song) and narrative poems (The Student of Salamanca, The Devil World).
Post-Romanticism saw the rise of intimate poetry, with Rosalía de Castro and Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer as prominent figures. Rosalía’s subjectivity and Bécquer’s evocative simplicity marked this period.
Prose saw the rise of the historical novel, influenced by Walter Scott. Serial novels gained popularity, including those focusing on customs (costumbrista), with both conservative and liberal perspectives.
Mariano José de Larra, a prominent satirist, critiqued his era with wit and irony, using the pseudonym “Figaro.” His articles, including those in El Pobrecito Hablador, showcased his social commentary. His only novel, El doncel de Don Enrique el Doliente, falls within the historical novel genre.
Romantic drama flourished in the 1830s, featuring passionate characters and melodramatic plots. Key playwrights include Francisco Martínez de la Rosa, Ángel de Saavedra (Duke of Rivas), José Zorrilla, and Juan Eugenio Hartzenbusch (Don Juan Tenorio).
Realism and Naturalism (Late 19th Century)
Realism, influenced by positivism, emphasized the accurate depiction of reality and social critique. Naturalism, championed by Émile Zola, treated literature as a science, focusing on social environments, particularly the marginalized and sordid.
Ramón de Campoamor represented anti-rhetorical poetry with his prosaic style. The Costumbrista tradition continued in the form of short stories.
Realist novels, with linear structures and omniscient narrators, were divided into conservative (rural) and progressive (urban) themes. Key authors include Fernán Caballero (Cecilia Böhl de Faber) (La Gaviota), Juan Valera (Pepita Jiménez, Doña Luz), José María de Pereda (regional novels), Emilia Pardo Bazán (Los pazos de Ulloa, La Tribuna), and the two giants of the era: Benito Pérez Galdós and Leopoldo Alas (Clarín).
Galdós’s Episodios Nacionales series and novels like Fortunata y Jacinta offered a panoramic view of Spanish society. Clarín, known for his literary criticism and stories, explored themes of love, intellectualism, and social satire in works like La Regenta.
High comedy, melodramatic and bourgeois, was represented by Manuel Tamayo y Baus and José Echegaray. Realist playwrights adapted novels for the stage, given the lack of a developed naturalist theater. Anarchist and socialist groups advocated for the social function of art.