Golden Age of Spanish Literature: Quevedo, Lope, Calderón, and Lazarillo
Francisco de Quevedo (1580-1645)
Life and Works
Born in Madrid in 1580, Francisco de Quevedo was involved in political intrigues, leading to imprisonment on two occasions. He died in Villanueva de los Infantes in 1645. Quevedo’s literary contributions are significant, encompassing both poetry and prose. His work is characterized by its linguistic mastery.
Poetic Works
- Metaphysical Poems: These compositions explore human existence, the brevity of life, the passage of time, and the acceptance of death.
- Moral Poems: These poems reflect on virtues, vices, wealth, and power.
- Religious Poems: These works focus on figures and stories from the Old and New Testaments.
- Circumstantial Poems: This category includes eulogies and funeral poems dedicated to historical and contemporary figures.
- Love Poems: Quevedo composed numerous love poems, including some dedicated to an unknown woman, referred to as “Lisi.” He revitalized the use of hyperbole in love poetry.
- Satirical Poems: These poems showcase Quevedo’s wit and critique societal flaws.
Prose Works
Quevedo’s notable prose works include the picaresque novel “El Buscón,” as well as two moral-satirical works, “Los Sueños” and “La Hora de Todos.”
Pedro Calderón de la Barca
Theatrical Innovations
Calderón de la Barca introduced changes to theatrical traditions, simplifying action and utilizing poetic language.
Works
- Swashbuckling Comedies: These plays feature love affairs, jealousy, and sword fights.
- Dramas of Honor: Characters in these dramas face conflicts related to honor and difficult choices.
- Philosophical Dramas: Calderón’s most famous philosophical drama, “Life is a Dream,” explores existential, political, and social questions.
- Morality Plays: These allegorical works center on the Eucharist.
Lope de Vega (1562-1635)
Life and Works
Lope de Vega, born into a modest family, worked as a secretary for the nobility. His humble origins influenced the portrayal of characters in his works. His turbulent personal life, marked by multiple wives, mistresses, and illegitimate children, is reflected in his poetry. After a personal crisis, he became a priest but continued a relationship with a married woman. His final years were plagued by financial difficulties. He died in 1635.
Lyrical Works
Lope de Vega was a renowned poet, known for his autobiographical romances and sonnets.
Narrative Works
He composed epic poems, including “La Hermosura de Angélica,” “La Dragontea,” “Isidro,” and “Jerusalén Conquistada.” He also wrote novels, such as “La Arcadia,” “El Peregrino en su Patria,” “Los Pastores de Belén,” and “Marcia Leonarda.”
Dramatic Works
Lope de Vega wrote approximately 400 comedies. Honor and love are central themes in his plays. Some of his best-known works include “Fuenteovejuna,” “El Caballero de Olmedo,” and “La Dorotea.”
- Fuenteovejuna: Based on a historical incident, this play depicts the townspeople’s revolt against the tyrannical Commander.
- El Caballero de Olmedo: This play focuses on the love between Doña Inés and Don Alonso, who is tragically murdered.
- La Dorotea: This prose work explores the author’s youthful love.
Lazarillo de Tormes
The Novel
While the first four editions date to 1554, earlier versions likely existed. This short book marks the beginning of the modern novel.
Subject Matter
Presented as an autobiography, the work responds to a letter about Lázaro’s complicated situation and rumors surrounding his wife. The narrative aims to clarify his circumstances and defend against accusations.
Narrative Style
Lázaro’s narrative achieves verisimilitude through its depiction of his humble social status. He is an outsider navigating a cruel society from childhood.
Structure
The novel is divided into seven chapters and a prologue. The first three chapters, focusing on hunger, are the most extensive. From chapter four onward, the narrative adopts a string-of-episodes structure.