18th Century Literature: Neoclassicism, Rococo, and Enlightenment in Spain
18th Century Spanish Literature
Literary Trends
First Half of the Century
Writers continued to follow Baroque models in poetry, theater, and prose. The essay genre boomed as an expression of Enlightenment ideas.
Second Half of the Century
Neoclassicism emerged, emphasizing austerity and restricting creative fancy. It proposed pre-established models and guidelines, defining the concept of “good taste” and emphasizing adherence to rules that ensured symmetry and utility. This period saw the rise of philosophical and didactic poetry, as well as Neoclassical comedies and tragedies.
A main manifestation of the era was the Rococo, observed in Anacreontic literature with strong sentimentality. Some critics refer to this period as “pre-Romanticism,” as it anticipates the Romantic movement with its sentimental poetry and drama. Notable examples include the sentimental letters of Cadalso and the writings of Jovellanos.
Poetry in the 18th Century
Neoclassical Poetry
Rococo Poetry
Characterized by the use of Anacreontic compositions, short meters, and themes of love and female beauty. Notable poets include Diego Tadeo González, Juan Pablo Forner, and Juan Meléndez Valdés.
Philosophical Poetry
Jovellanos advocated for abandoning romantic themes in favor of a more useful poetry. He preferred loose hendecasyllables to address issues related to humanity and progress. A key figure in this style is Manuel J. Quintana.
Didactic Poetry
Developed primarily through fables. Major exponents include Félix María Samaniego and Tomás de Iriarte.
Sentimental Poetry
Characterized by outpourings of despair and emotional distress. A prominent figure is Nicasio Álvarez de Cienfuegos.
Theater in the 18th Century
Theater of Manners
Flourished during this period, with a focus on sketches and everyday life. Ramón de la Cruz is a key playwright in this style.
Neoclassical Theater
Aimed to delight the soul and educate through art, emphasizing simplicity, clarity, and naturalness. Its objective was the imitation of human actions, respecting the rule of three unities (action, time, and place), and adhering to decorum. The number of characters should not exceed eight, and the scenes should be limited to three or four.
Neoclassical Tragedy
Written in verse with a didactic purpose, conveying the message that passion should submit to reason and duty. Raquel García de la Huerta is a notable playwright in this genre.
Neoclassical Comedy
Written in verse or prose, featuring common characters who ridiculed the vices and errors of society. Virtue and truth were rewarded for the sake of reason and good sense. Leandro Fernández de Moratín and Tomás de Iriarte are prominent playwrights in this style.
Sentimental Comedy
Distinguished by the exaltation of new civic virtues such as sensitivity and humanity. Jovellanos’ “El delincuente honrado” is a notable example.
Leandro Fernández de Moratín
Moratín authored three plays in verse: “El viejo y la niña,” “El barón,” and “La mojigata.” He also wrote two plays in prose: “La comedia nueva” and “El sí de las niñas.”
El sí de las niñas
Doña Irene arranges the marriage of her 16-year-old daughter, Paquita, to Don Diego, a man in his sixties. Paquita is in love with Don Carlos, Don Diego’s nephew. Upon learning of this, Don Diego relinquishes Paquita and allows her to marry Don Carlos. The play combines comic and sentimental themes, such as uneven marriage and poor education. It advocates for a social model based on reason.
The play adheres to Neoclassical principles, including its didactic purpose and the rule of three unities. The prose is simple and natural, with agile dialogue. Serious moments are presented without exaggeration, and comedic elements avoid vulgarity.
Essay in the 18th Century
The essay developed as a reflective text that offered commentary on reality, often within a fictional framework. Notable essayists include Francis Bacon and Michel de Montaigne.
Writings of Benito Jerónimo Feijoo
Feijoo, a theater critic and author of the erudite “Teatro crítico universal,” was a pioneer of the essay in Spain. He aimed to combat scientific errors and promote modernization. His works covered diverse topics, including economics, philosophy, and politics. His texts were intended for a wide audience and were written in a familiar and humorous style. He questioned the validity of the principle of authority and proposed the experimental method, leading to accusations against him before the Inquisition.
Cadalso’s Cartas marruecas
Cadalso’s “Cartas marruecas” (“Moroccan Letters”) is an essay that utilizes the epistolary form to offer three perspectives on Spanish society: those of Nuño, Ben Gazel, and Beley. Gazel’s vision aligns with Enlightenment ideals.
Speeches of Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos
Jovellanos, a representative figure of the Spanish Enlightenment, addressed his writings to authorities with the aim of promoting reforms that would lead to the country’s development. His notable works include “Informe sobre la Ley Agraria” (“Report on the Agrarian Law”), “Informe sobre educación pública” (“Report on Public Education”), and “Informe para el arreglo de la policía de espectáculos y diversiones públicas” (“Report for the Regulation of Police, Shows, and Public Entertainment”).