20th and 21st Century Spanish Poetry: Movements and Poets
1. Spanish Poetry from the Civil War to the Present
2. Main Poetic Trends
1930s: Poetry centered on social injustices and human suffering. Miguel Hernández is a key figure. During the Civil War, poetry was marked by ideological exaltation and combat.
1940s: After a period of exaltation of the empire, neoclassicism and existentialism dominated. The poet Garcilaso’s work evolved from elusive poetry to other proposals. Mid-decade saw a poetic movement concerned with human suffering and anguish. Additionally, avant-garde lyricism was cultivated, including the singing group, Postismo, and surrealism.
1950s: Social poetry and criticism were predominant, characterized by simplicity of expression, narrative presence, and appellate intent.
1960s: From the mid-fifties, the ’60s generation began to produce works focused on the individual.
1970s: A type of lyrical poetry triumphed, emphasizing linguistic experimentation and a pluralistic cultural aesthetic. Authors emerging around 1965 embraced avant-garde features.
1975-Present: The recent landscape is complex and diverse. Earlier poets continue their production, while new authors emerge. In the 80s and 90s, poetry reflecting current experience thrived. From 1995 onward, a plurality of proposals is evident.
3. Poetry of Miguel Hernández
3.1. Evolution of his Poetry
- First Stage: Gongora-inspired and avant-garde, exemplified by Perito en lunas.
- Second Stage: Social poetry texts, including Viento del pueblo.
- Last Stage: Characterized by El rayo que no cesa and Cancionero y romancero de ausencias.
3.2. Main Themes
Grief, love, passionate eroticism, and the struggle between love and hate among humans.
3.3. El rayo que no cesa
Focuses on the suffering of love, using the bull as a symbol. Includes the famous Elegy to Ramón Sijé.
3.4. Cancionero y romancero de ausencias
These later poems depict a world filled with anger, resentment, and stalking. The theme of childhood gains importance.
4. Poetry in Exile
Exiled poets followed diverse paths, but their productions often reflected the anguish of their separation from Spain. Notable figures include Emilio Prado, Manuel Altolaguirre, and León Felipe.
5. Poetry in the 1940s
Neoclassical, heroic, and political poetry were prominent. Existentialist and avant-garde poetic movements also emerged.
5.1. Neoclassical Poetry
Authors include Luis Rosales (La casa encendida), Leopoldo Panero (Escrito a cada instante), Luis Felipe Vivanco (whose poems often focused on family and daily life), Dionisio Ridruejo (En tiempo de soledad, characterized by intimate and everyday family themes), and José García Nieto (who explored neo-romantic intimacy in El campo and Soledad).
5.2. Existentialist Poetry
Two key works: Hijos de la ira by Dámaso Alonso, a book of protest and inquiry using everyday language, repetition, and vivid imagery to express violence; and Sombra del paraíso by Vicente Aleixandre, which explores dissatisfaction with human destiny and a longing for a lost paradise. Themes include the painful search for God, religious crisis, and the anguish of death.
5.3. Avant-Garde Poetry
- Postismo: Advocated for imaginative poetry, embracing the breakdown of logic, humor, and surprise.
- The Singing Group: Combined elements of the Generation of ’27 and poetry of experience.
- Surrealism: Miguel Labordeta is a notable figure.
6. 1950s: Social Poetry
Gabriel Celaya, Blas de Otero, and José Hierro were leading figures. Social poetry was characterized by concern for reality, rejection of formalism, everyday language, and a tendency towards prose.
6.1. Gabriel Celaya
His poetry can be divided into four stages. The second stage features existential poetry, while the third corresponds to social poetry, exemplified by Cantos iberos.
6.2. Blas de Otero
His work expresses rebellion against injustice and a desire for peace. Ángel fieramente humano and Pido la paz y la palabra mark his full embrace of social poetry. The identity of Spain and its future become central themes. His production can be divided into several stages, with the fifth, starting in 1942, belonging to social poetry. He emphasizes historical reality and solidarity among men.
7. The Generation of the 1960s
7.1. Characteristics
- Analysis of personal memory, individual experience, and history.
- Themes of time, love, and friendship.
- Metapoetry: Poems reflecting on the nature of poetry, its characteristics, and the limitations of literary language.
- Presence of religious and mystical elements, drawing on Spanish and Eastern traditions.
7.2. José Ángel Valente
A modo de esperanza opens a new cycle in his work, characterized by a receptive stance and incorporating mystical language. He moves towards a poetic model that embraces the unknowable.
7.3. Ángel González
His work can be divided into three stages. The first stage, marked by Tratado de urbanismo, focuses on the passage of time, exploring sub-themes like love, heartbreak, the absurdity of life, childhood as a lost paradise, and the course of history.
7.4. Jaime Gil de Biedma
The passage of time is a central theme, connected to memory and the analysis of personal experiences. Compañeros de viaje explores childhood, adolescence, friendship, the city, and lost love. Later poems address pain and suffering in Spanish history.
8. The ‘Novísimos’ of the late 1960s
The anthology Nueve novísimos poetas españoles, compiled by Josep Maria Castellet, gave this group its name. They are also known as the ’68 Generation’ or the ‘Novísimos’.
8.1. General Characteristics
- Rejection of realism and focus on the poem itself.
- Cultural references and the presence of popular myths.
- Treatment of poetry itself as a subject within the poetic text.
9. Poetry from 1975 to the Present: Recent Trends
9.1. 1980s and 1990s
From the early 80s, the aesthetics of the ’70 and ’68 generations prevailed. Poets from the ’60s generation continued their work. Gradually, different trends emerged, notably a realistic and experiential poetry. The 80s saw a renewed emphasis on poetic commitment, humor, and the inconsequential aspects of daily life.
9.2. Figurative or Experiential Poetry
- Emphasis on the fictional character of the poem and individual experiences.
- Credible and realistic aesthetic.
- Accessible style.
9.3. Trends from 1990 to Today
- Re-examination and influence of various literary traditions.
- Decreased presence of the poetic self and a tendency towards nihilistic and hopeless perspectives.
- Importance of seeking transcendence.
- Presence of themes reflecting the signs of our time.
- Linguistic renewal.