Romanticism in 19th Century Spanish Literature
Introduction
Romanticism, an artistic and literary movement of the first half of the 19th century, emerged as a reaction against the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. It profoundly impacted politics, society, and culture, generating both enthusiasm and apprehension.
Transformations:
- Discontent with the Old Regime.
- Rise of liberalism and conservatism.
- Labor movements advocating for radical change.
- Globalization’s impact on the world.
Romantic Literature
Characteristics:
- Freedom: Rejection of artistic rules, mixing genres and forms.
- Nature: Deep appreciation for the natural world.
- The Sinister: Attraction to the supernatural and macabre.
- Escapism: Indulgence in dreams and fantasy.
- Love: Emphasis on love as the ultimate meaning of life.
- Popular Traditions: Celebration of national spirit through folklore.
Romanticism in Spain
Spanish Romanticism experienced a late and limited development, peaking between 1833 and 1835 before declining around 1840 with the rise of Realism.
Authors and Works
Poetry:
- Romantic Poetry: José de Espronceda (“Canción del pirata”, “El Estudiante de Salamanca”, “El diablo mundo”)
- Post-Romantic Poetry: Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (Rimas) and Rosalía de Castro (Cantares gallegos, En las orillas del Sar)
Prose:
- Legend: Bécquer (Leyendas)
- Historical Novel: Gil y Carrasco (El señor de Bembibre)
- Fairy Tale: Espronceda (La pata de palo)
- Costumbrismo: Mesonero Romanos (Escenas matritenses) and Larra (Artículos literarios, políticos y de costumbres and “El castellano viejo”)
Romantic Drama:
- Duque de Rivas (Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino)
- José Zorrilla (Don Juan Tenorio)
General Features of Romanticism
Romanticism prioritized feelings over reason and spread throughout Europe and the Americas. Poetry was the dominant genre, but new forms like the legend and the tall tale also emerged.
Romantic Poetry
José de Espronceda was the most prominent Romantic lyric poet in Spain. In the latter half of the century, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and Rosalía de Castro emerged as significant post-Romantic poets.
Romantic Prose
While poetry was favored, prose also underwent a renewal, serving both imaginative reverie and the observation of reality (costumbrismo).
A- Narrative Prose:
- Historical Novel: El señor de Bembibre (1844) by Enrique Gil y Carrasco, influenced by Walter Scott.
- Fairy Tale: Popularized in Romantic-era journals, with Espronceda’s La pata de palo as a notable example.
- Legend: Artistic interpretations of traditional stories, exemplified by Bécquer’s Leyendas.
B- Non-fiction: Costumbrismo:
- Objective: Observation of contemporary society.
- Manners: Detailed portrayal of social customs, with prominent figures like Mesonero Romanos (Escenas matritenses) and Serafín Estébanez Calderón (Escenas andaluzas).
- Journalism: Significant contributions from writers like Mariano José de Larra.
The Romantic Drama
Romantic drama challenged the neoclassical tragedy inherited from the 18th century. It featured historical settings, allowing audiences to escape reality and explore diverse aspects of life. Playwrights blended comic and tragic elements, utilizing both prose and verse, various meters, and alternating stanzas (polymetry).
Summary
Poetry: Expressed key Romantic themes (love, freedom, nature, etc.) and mixed previously incompatible elements (rhyme, assonance, polymetry).
Narrative: Dominated by historical and legendary themes. Costumbrismo provided vivid descriptions of contemporary life.
Theater: Broke neoclassical rules, favoring historical dramas.