20th Century Spanish Lyric Poetry: An Overview
1. The Poetry of the Forties
The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) marked a significant turning point in Spanish poetry, giving rise to the Generation of 36. This generation was split into two contrasting groups:
Rooted Poetry
This group, which included poets like Luis Felipe Vivanco, Leopoldo Panero, Luis Rosales, and Dionisio Ridruejo, was characterized by a profound religious sentiment and a desire to move past the war. Their poetry often explored themes such as God, nature, love, family, and landscapes. They frequently published their works in magazines like Garcilaso and Escorial.
Uprooted Poetry
In 1944, a movement emerged in opposition to Rooted Poetry. The publication of Dámaso Alonso’s Children of Anger and Vicente Aleixandre’s Shadows of Paradise, along with the appearance of the poetry journal Espadaña, signaled a shift in the poetic landscape. These authors, including Victoriano Crémer and Eugenio de Nora, expressed their discontent with the world around them through a direct and socially engaged style of poetry that prioritized content over form. They challenged the Rooted poets with their raw and committed approach.
2. The Poetry of Exile
As a consequence of the Civil War, numerous Spanish authors were forced into exile. The end of the war in 1939 ushered in a new phase where poets aligned with Franco’s regime focused on themes of nature, family, and religion, seeking to escape the harsh social realities. This trend continued until 1944, when works like Shadows of Paradise and Children of Anger emerged, demanding greater attention to the widespread suffering in Spain.
3. Social Poetry of the Fifties
The 1950s saw the rise of social poetry, a movement that sought to rehumanize poetry and use it as a tool for social critique and engagement. This style was characterized by simple language, a focus on the concerns of everyday people, and a prioritization of content over form. Poets often employed free verse and drew inspiration from Antonio Machado and, most notably, Miguel Hernández.
Gabriel Celaya
Born Rafael Mugica, this Basque poet had connections with the Generation of 27 and was influenced by surrealism. Before the Civil War, he published Marea del silencio (1935) and La soledad cerrada (1936). After the war, his poetry shifted towards social concerns, as seen in works like Tranquilamente hablando (1947), Las cosas como son (1949), and Cantos iberos (1955).
Blas de Otero
Deeply concerned with Spain’s social reality, Blas de Otero explored themes such as the meaning of life, the role of God, memories of war, and its consequences. His existentialist poetry employed plain language, alliteration, parallelism, puns, and colloquial expressions. Key works include Ángel fieramente humano (1950), Redoble de conciencia (1951), and his most significant work, Pido la paz y la palabra (1955).
Rafael Morales
His major publications include Poemas del toro (1943), El corazón y la tierra (1946), Los desterrados (1947), Canción sobre el asfalto (1954), and La máscara y los dientes (1958). He received the National Prize for Literature in 1954.
José Hierro
Born in Madrid but raised in Santander, José Hierro’s early life was marked by the Spanish Civil War. His first poem was titled “A Bullet Killed Him.” His style is characterized by simple, direct expression, reflecting his concern for the surrounding reality. Imprisoned from 1939 to 1944, he published Tierra sin nosotros and Alegría in 1947. After moving to Madrid in 1952, he produced works like Quinta del 42 (1952), Cuanto sé de mí (1957), Libro de las alucinaciones (1964), and Cuaderno de Nueva York (1998). He received numerous awards throughout his career.
4. The Poetry of the Sixties
The social poetry of the 1950s continued to exert its influence into the 1960s, encompassing a wide range of human themes. Poets born between 1925 and 1938, who experienced the Civil War as children, came to the forefront.
Ángel González
Love is a prominent theme in Ángel González’s work. His early poetry, such as Áspero mundo (1955), reflects existentialist concerns. In 1961, he published Sin esperanza, con convencimiento, which explored memories of the Civil War and introduced irony into his style. Palabra sobre palabra (1965) features love poems, while Tratado de urbanismo (1967) addresses social issues. His last major work is Prosemas o menos (1985). He received the Prince of Asturias Award for Literature in 1985 and became a member of the Royal Spanish Academy in 1996.
José Manuel Caballero Bonald
Caballero Bonald’s poetry often incorporates elements of his own biography. Las adivinaciones (1952) blends personal confession with social commentary. Descrédito del héroe (1977) and Laberinto de Fortuna (1984) are considered among his best works. His language is characterized by a meticulous and often Baroque style.
José Agustín Goytisolo
Having lived through the Civil War as a child, Goytisolo’s poetry is marked by social realism, exploring themes of love, society, and politics with irony and sarcasm. His works include El retorno (1955), Salmos al viento (1958), Claridad (1961), Algo sucede (1968), and Palabras para Julia (1980).
Jaime Gil de Biedma
Known for his sincere and honest poetry, Gil de Biedma addressed everyday concerns in a colloquial style. His work is characterized by clarity and subtle irony. He was a vocal advocate for gay rights until his death from AIDS in 1990. His poetry often explores themes of love and the passage of time, with a notable influence from Luis Cernuda.
José Ángel Valente
Valente’s poetry is difficult to categorize due to its diverse subject matter and willingness to embrace various influences. His work is characterized by a refreshing boldness. A modo de esperanza (1955) marks the beginning of his literary career. His language is direct, simple, and sober, focusing on humanity and its circumstances. Notable works include Poemas a Lázaro (1960), La memoria y los signos (1966), Siete representaciones (1967), and Material memoria (1979). Fragmentos de un libro futuro (2000), published shortly before his death, is his last major work.
Francisco Brines
Brines’s poetry primarily explores themes of time, love, and death. His major works include Las brasas (1959), Palabras a la oscuridad (1967), El otoño de las rosas (1987), and La última costa (1998).
Claudio Rodríguez
Rodríguez’s first book, Don de la ebriedad (1953), showcases his rich vocabulary and mastery of expressive language. This was followed by Conjuros (1958) and Alianza y condena (1965). Poesía is an anthology of his poems from 1953 to 1966. His final major work is El vuelo de la celebración (1976).