19th Century Spanish Literature: Romanticism

Posted on Sep 8, 2024 in Latin

19th Century Spanish Literature: An Overview

Historical and Social Context

The 19th century in Europe was a period of significant social and political upheaval. The old feudal system gave way to a class-based society, with the bourgeoisie rising to prominence. Population growth, particularly in urban centers, was fueled by industrialization. Liberal ideas flourished, advocating for popular sovereignty, individual freedoms, and nationalism.

In Spain, this period was marked by political instability, economic stagnation, military uprisings, and a lack of technological advancement, lagging behind the rest of Europe. The second half of the century saw some improvements in agriculture, industry, and transportation. However, cultural decline was evident, with many intellectuals going into exile due to increased censorship.

The death of the King led to the Carlist Wars, a civil war between supporters of Isabella II and Don Carlos. Isabella II eventually ascended to the throne. During her reign, Spain lost parts of its colonial empire, including the Philippines and Cuba. The Restoration period witnessed a significant transformation in Spanish society, particularly in the ideological sphere. Traditionalist ideas were challenged by the Krausist movement, which promoted a morality based on tolerance.

Romantic Literature in Spain

Themes and Aesthetics

Themes:

  • National and regional history, particularly the Middle Ages and the Arab world.
  • Emphasis on feelings over reason, including melancholy, longing, and the power of destiny, especially in love.
  • Exaltation of the self and the cult of freedom, with the artist often portrayed as a solitary hero.
  • Exploration of social conflicts and marginalized characters.

Aesthetics:

  • Rejection of classical rules and emphasis on imagination.
  • Use of atmosphere, with nature reflecting the hero’s mood.
  • Incorporation of fantasy, mystery, and supernatural elements.
  • Dramatic and emotionally intense style.
  • Rhetorical and exaggerated language.

Romantic Poetry

Poetry was the ideal genre for expressing Romantic rebellion and exploring inner feelings. Common themes included freedom, love, the supernatural, death, and legend. There were two main types of Romantic poetry:

  1. Epic or Narrative Poetry: Heroic in tone, drawing inspiration from tradition, history, or legend. The romance form was revived.
  2. Lyric Poetry: The quintessential expression of Romanticism, focusing on the poet’s inner conflicts.
José de Espronceda (1808-1842)

Espronceda, both in his life and work, embodies the Spanish Romantic poet. He excelled in both narrative and lyric poetry:

  • Narrative Poetry: “El estudiante de Salamanca” (The Student of Salamanca) tells the story of Félix de Montemar, a seducer who faces a mysterious fate. The poem features a dark and stormy atmosphere, blending the sublime and the vulgar. Another notable work is the long poem “El Diablo Mundo” (The Devil World).
  • Lyric Poetry: His most famous lyric poems include “Canción del pirata” (The Pirate’s Song) and “El mendigo” (The Beggar), collected in his book “Poesías” (Poems). “Canto a Teresa” (Song to Teresa), a lament for his deceased beloved, is a powerful expression of disappointment and loss.
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836-1870)

Bécquer’s life was marked by hardship and disappointment, which is reflected in his intimate and sensitive work. His prose includes “Cartas literarias a una mujer” (Literary Letters to a Woman), “Cartas desde mi celda” (Letters from My Cell), and the renowned “Leyendas” (Legends), a collection of short stories exploring human nature, including the famous “El rayo de luna” (The Moonbeam).

Bécquer’s poetry is primarily contained in “Rimas” (Rhymes), first published posthumously by his friends. The poems explore the interplay between poetry, the individual, and love in its various forms: joy, elation, and disappointment. Eroticism and disillusionment are prominent themes.

Classification of Rhymes:

  • I-XI: Poetry as something inexplicable.
  • XII-XXIX: Love experienced positively.
  • XXX-LI: The failure of love.
  • LII-LXXI: Loneliness and death.

Characteristics of Bécquer’s Poetry:

  • Intimacy and simplicity.
  • Parallelistic structure.
  • Musicality.
  • Use of rhyme and assonance.
  • Nominal style.
  • Dialogue form.

Romantic Theatre

Romantic drama was a powerful expression of the movement, drawing inspiration from the Golden Age theatre and appealing to the public’s taste for emotional intensity. Neoclassical theatre was largely rejected.

Themes and Purpose:

  • Impossible love, freedom, revenge, moral and political rebellion.
  • The primary aim was to evoke strong emotions in the audience.

Characters and Settings:

  • The hero is typically mysterious, brave, freedom-loving, and destined for tragedy.
  • Settings include cemeteries, lonely landscapes, dungeons, and mountains.

Formal Aspects:

  • Rejection of classical rules.
  • Blending of tragic and comic elements.
  • Mix of prose and verse.
  • Breaking of the unities of time and place.
  • Bombastic and rhetorical language.
Ángel de Saavedra, Duke of Rivas (1791-1865)

The Duke of Rivas was a playwright and poet. His most famous work, “Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino” (Don Álvaro or the Force of Destiny), explores the theme of fate relentlessly pursuing and destroying the hero, despite the presence of passionate love. The play, written in five acts, does not adhere to the dramatic unities, with the action taking place in Seville, Córdoba, and Italy over a span of five years.

José Zorrilla (1817-1893)

Zorrilla was a prolific writer who enjoyed considerable success during his lifetime. He cultivated various genres, but his most famous work is “Don Juan Tenorio” (1844), the most popular Spanish Romantic drama. The play reimagines the legend of Don Juan, achieving immense popularity upon its release.