18th & 19th Century Spanish Literature: From Neoclassicism to Romanticism
18th Century Spanish Literature
Post-Baroque, Neoclassicism, and Pre-Romanticism
18th-century Spanish literature showcased diverse styles. The Post-Baroque, marked by exhausted meaning and form, attempted to emulate Góngora without his creative genius. Neoclassicism, the defining style of the Enlightenment, prioritized reason over emotion. Finally, Pre-Romanticism emerged, emphasizing emotion and foreshadowing the Romantic era.
Lyrical Subgenres
Key lyrical subgenres included:
- Anacreontic and pastoral idylls influenced by nature.
- Renaissance-inspired satire.
- Odes and epistles with social themes.
- Didactic fables.
Prominent authors included José Cadalso (Pastimes of My Youth) and Nicolás Fernández de Moratín (Festival of the Bulls in Madrid).
Neoclassical Period
The mid-18th century ushered in the Neoclassical period, emphasizing essays and critiques. Free-form structures and modern language explored topics like national decline, education, and social issues.
Key figures included:
- Fray Benito Jerónimo Feijoo: Universal theater critic.
- Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos: Report on the Agrarian Law.
- José Cadalso: Moroccan Letters (satirical critiques).
Neoclassical Theater
Neoclassical theater adhered to Enlightenment ideals, featuring:
- Strict genre separation.
- Three unities (single action, place, and time).
- Didactic purpose.
- Three-act structure.
Tragedy (e.g., Vicente García de la Huerta’s Raquel) and comedy (e.g., Leandro Fernández de Moratín’s The Yes of the Girls) were prominent genres.
19th Century Spanish Literature: Romanticism
A Cultural Movement
Romanticism, a complex European movement in the early 19th century, brought aesthetic and ideological renewal. It protested against imposed values and socio-political issues.
Key Features of Romanticism
- Individualism: Focus on personal goals; the artist as the world’s center.
- Freedom: Championing individual expression and liberty.
- Rebellion and Contradictions: The pursuit of impossible happiness and clashes with reality.
- Nationalism: Promoting national identity through literature.
Themes in Romantic Literature
- National History: Inspiration from the Middle Ages.
- Emotion over Reason: Melancholy, longing, individualism, rebellion, and love.
- Exaltation of Self: The artist as hero, seeking isolation.
- Social Conflicts: Addressing inequality and national consciousness.
Romantic Aesthetics
- Atmosphere: Nature reflecting the hero’s mood.
- Fantasy: Embracing mystery and supernatural elements.
- Drama: Distorted forms and emotional intensity.
- Rhetorical Style: Exaggerated language, adjectives, and metaphors.
Major Romantic Writers
- Poets: José de Espronceda (The Student of Salamanca, Song of the Pirate).
- Post-Romantic Poets: Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (Rhymes), Rosalía de Castro (Galician Songs).
- Playwrights: Ángel de Saavedra (Don Álvaro), José Zorrilla (Don Juan Tenorio).
- Prose: Mariano José de Larra (articles on customs, literary criticism, and politics).