Romanticism: A Deep Dive into the 19th-Century Literary Movement
Romanticism
Introduction
Romanticism, a literary movement originating in Germany and England during the first half of the 19th century, gained prominence in Spain after the death of Ferdinand VII in 1833, with the return of exiled Liberals embracing romantic ideals. The movement’s triumph in Spain is marked by the premiere of plays like The Conspiracy of Venice by the Duke of Rivas in 1834 and Don Álvaro o The Force of Destiny in 1835. Its heyday spanned from 1835 to 1840.
Key Features of Romanticism
- Individual revolt against restrictive rules hindering emotional expression.
- Absolute freedom.
- Idealistic perspective.
- Despair and disappointment.
- The belief that beauty is truth.
- Emphasis on subjectivity and irrational elements: fantasy, dreams, feelings, and the supernatural.
- Revival of fantasy and horror fiction.
- Clash between ideal and reality leading to pessimism.
- Characters disillusioned or tormented by the world.
- Themes of rebellion, solitude, escapism, and suicide.
- Recurring characters like Satan, Don Juan, and Don Quixote.
- Focus on solitary characters in historical settings.
- Importance of fantasy, dreams, and the supernatural.
- Rise of lyric poetry and fantastic narratives.
Romantic Themes
1. Nature
Romantic authors viewed nature as a crucial element, reflecting and interacting with the poet’s emotions.
2. The Distant and Exotic
The Romantic imagination clashed with reality, leading poets to seek refuge in distant and exotic realms. They were drawn to Moorish Spain and Norse mythology, replacing Greco-Roman influences.
3. Resurgence of the Popular
A return to a distant era revived medieval culture. Ballads and epic legends became sources of inspiration for poetry and drama.
4. Love
Love was idealized, with women seen as divine beings leading to God. However, this angelic view coexisted with the portrayal of women as a destructive force.
5. Freedom
The exaltation of human freedom against any human law was a recurring theme. Romantics admired individuals outside the law, considering them truly free.
2. Theater in Romanticism
Romanticism rekindled interest in theater, marked by the premiere of Don Álvaro by the Duke of Rivas in 1835. Don Juan Tenorio by José Zorrilla, premiered in 1844, achieved even greater success.
Features of Romantic Theater
- Rejection of rigid neoclassical rules.
- Themes focused on classical, chivalrous, or national history.
- Emphasis on love.
- Characters with typical romantic traits.
- Increased number of actors and a mix of prose and verse.
- Spectacular stage effects in sets, sound, and lighting.
- Vibrant tone.
Key Authors
The Duke of Rivas
A prominent figure of his time, exiled in England during Ferdinand VII’s reign. His play Don Álvaro, or The Force of Destiny marked the first romantic drama in Spain. In 1841, he published his historical romances, using sober language and precise descriptions of characters, costumes, and settings.
José Zorrilla
Zorrilla focused on themes of national history, incorporating elements of romantic drama in his plays, written exclusively in verse. His style is described as loud, bright, agile, and powerful. Don Juan Tenorio is his most representative romantic drama.
3. Prose in Romanticism
Romantic prose focused on novels and newspaper articles. Legendary historical novels, particularly those with medieval themes, were revived. Romantics frequently gathered to exchange ideas, using newspapers as their primary means of communication. They actively established magazines and newspapers.
Mariano José de Larra
Born in Madrid in 1809, Larra’s family was exiled to France during Ferdinand VII’s return. He returned to Spain in 1818 and began writing newspaper articles at 19. His marriage at 20 ended in failure. A cultured and refined individual, his personal disappointments, combined with the country’s political and social problems, fueled his pessimism and despair, leading to his suicide at 28.
While he wrote poems, a historical novel, and a romantic tragedy, his fame rests on his newspaper articles, which offer a critical analysis of Spanish society. His articles, characterized by humor and deep pessimism, are categorized into:
- Customs
- Politics
- Literature