Romanticism in 19th Century Spain: A Deep Dive
Romanticism: 19th Century Context and Traits
Historical and Cultural Context of the 19th Century
Political, Economic, and Social Aspects
The first half of the 19th century in Spain was marked by civil wars, military uprisings, and fighting between liberals and absolutists in the first decade, and among moderates and progressives in the following. Amidst constant political changes, the establishment of the capitalist system and the liberal state led to the rise of the bourgeoisie. Secularization enriched the wealthy and worsened the conditions of the rural poor.
Cultural and Ideological Aspects
The development of press and opinion journalism facilitated the dissemination of theories and literary works. The sale of supplies resulted in increased literacy, especially female literacy.
Cultural and social life developed in reading rooms, gatherings in private homes, and cafes. Casinos, lyceums, and secondary schools were created.
The theater and concerts were preferred entertainment. Bullfighting was one of the most popular forms of entertainment. Other tastes began to emerge, such as an appreciation for French food and wines, and the first restaurants appeared.
Romanticism: A Lifestyle
Characteristics of Romanticism
- Defense of Freedom: Romanticism championed individual freedom in moral, social, political, and artistic spheres.
- Subjectivism: It exalted the importance of the individual, subjective vision, and the expression of integrity. It sought the ideal of liberty and showed an interest in human types rejected by society (e.g., the pirate, the executioner, the beggar).
- Irrationalism and Evasion: Superstitions and legends were valued. Fantastic and mysterious motives were incorporated. The desire to escape led to the idealization of the past and the exoticism of distant cultures in space (Eastern or American).
- Historicism: There was a revitalization of literature in vernacular languages like Catalan or Galician in Spain.
There was also a renewed interest in medieval literature, folklore, popular traditions, Baroque theater, and the myth of Don Juan.
Themes and Styles of Romantic Literature
Major themes included freedom, power, and justice; the meaning of life and the silence of God; the destiny of human beings and their mysteries; and love, both desired and unattainable.
Romantic writers rejected conventions and integrated various registers and styles. Exclamatory statements were used for the expression of moods. There was an artificial imitation of medieval language.
Different Genres of Romanticism
Drama
Romantic dramas championed creative freedom, ignored the classical unities, and emphasized non-linguistic aspects of staging.
Structure and Speech
- Mixture of prose and verse
- Rejection of the rule of three unities
- Mixture of the tragic and the comic
Themes
Common themes included fate and love, revenge, power and authority, adultery, suicide, and honor. Melodramatic and fantastic elements (crimes, shadows, ghosts) often appeared.
Examples of Romantic drama include:
- Don Alvaro, or the Force of Destiny
- Don Juan Tenorio
Poetry
Narrative Poetry
Linked to the medieval epic, romances, and legends of oral transmission, narrative poetry often featured mysterious and supernatural elements. Texts were filled with haunting and lugubrious images. An example of this is The Student of Salamanca.
Lyric Poetry
- In the first half of the century, José de Espronceda (The Devil’s World) cultivated a lyric poetry characterized by rhetorical emphasis and the treatment of patriotic and social issues.
- Lyric poetry’s development came in the second half of the century with Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro.
They maintained a pessimistic conception of love as a source of pain and disappointment. The contradictory nature of love can sometimes be seen in contrast to the mood of the lyrical subject, while at other times it is identified with it.
Prose
Romantic prose encompassed various genres, including:
- The Historical Novel: Cecilia Bohl de Faber, who used the pseudonym Fernán Caballero, is a notable example with her work The Seagull.
- Costumbrismo (Table Manners)
- The Serial Novel
Costumbrismo
Within Costumbrismo, Larra’s prose stands out, particularly his Articles of Manners.