Catalan Literary Renaissance: Verdaguer and Key Figures
Jacinto Verdaguer: A Literary Titan
Jacinto Verdaguer was one of the most significant poets in Catalan literary history. His poetic strength arises from the use of imagination and painstaking detail, employing a language of intimate tenderness that connects with the song of the purest popular tradition. In 1877, he was awarded the grand epic poem L’Atlàntida at the Floral Games. He died from tuberculosis on May 10, 1902, and was buried in Montjuïc.
Verdaguer’s Prose and Conflicts
Verdaguer’s prose emerged during moments of intense internal conflict. The need to address charges with dignity demanded a clean, functional prose. This is evident in his travel book (1887) about walks through the Pyrenees, Europe, and the Mediterranean; his pilgrimage to the Holy Land (1889); his “journalistic reports” in newspaper articles (1895-1897) defending himself against accusations; and his Tales (1905), which brings together legends and phrases.
Verdaguer’s Impact on Catalan Literature
Verdaguer was a creator of modern Catalan literature. He was a key writer of the Renaissance, adapting the Catalan language to merge with ancient literary languages. He amplified the language and lexicon. The factors that initiated the Renaissance were the industrial revolution, which transformed the Catalan bourgeoisie. Other authors included Royal Patronage and Antonio Baldiri Reixach Puigblanch. Verdaguer reached his peak in 1877 when he won the Floral Games with L’Atlàntida.
Joaquin Rubio i Ors
Joaquin Rubio i Ors (1818-1899) was a poet, playwright, critic, and historian. He began publishing in 1839 in the Diario de Barcelona with poems signed “Gayter Llobregat.” He was a restorer of the Floral Games of Barcelona in 1859. His literary heritage includes the ode to the motherland and maintaining a strong faith in the possibilities of literary Catalan.
Maria Aguilar
Maria Aguilar (1825-1897) was a poet and literary figure. Born in Majorca, she went to Barcelona to study law and came into contact with the Renaixença. She was a chronicler of popular movements and collected folk songs and traditions. She also compiled a lexicon in eight volumes.
L’Atlàntida: An Epic Poem
L’Atlàntida, published in 1877, is a long epic poem consisting of ten songs and an introduction and conclusion. It narrates the clash of the ancient continent of Atlantis and incorporates mythological elements. Verdaguer’s poetic descriptions are imaginative. Another benchmark was the poem about his trip to Cuba. The argument is mixed with other subthemes, such as the birth of Spain, the Mediterranean world, the search for the Hesperides by Hercules, and the future discovery of America. The descriptive power of the poem highlights Verdaguer’s poetic skills. It was influenced by romantic poets such as Victor Hugo and won the Floral Games.
Canigó: An Epic Poem
Canigó (1886) is an epic poem of 12 songs and an epilogue that spans seven years. Its main theme is the origin of Catalonia. It presents more harmony between epic and lyric and humanizes the theme. Narrations and legends give the work charm.