Romanticism in Spain: Era, Authors, and Works
Romanticism in Spain: Era and Context
Romanticism was an artistic and cultural movement that prevailed between 1830-1855 but lasted until 1875. The Spanish society of this period was characterized by the triumph of bourgeois liberalism, which imposed a free market economy and established the equality of all citizens in the law. The Industrial Revolution in Spain was late and weak, exerting little influence.
Romanticism is the expression of the bourgeoisie struggling to gain political, social, and cultural development. This confronted the working class. Newspapers played a significant role in disseminating literature, including novels and short stories.
Literary Subgenres
- The historical novel
- The tale of mystery and terror
- Romance
- And so on
Key Figures in Spanish Romanticism
Mariano José de Larra (1809-1837)
Mariano José de Larra was the most important prose writer of Spanish Romanticism. He is noted as a journalist for his articles on literary criticism.
His most celebrated customs articles (cuadros de costumbres) include El castellano viejo, Vuelva usted mañana, and Día de difuntos de 1836, among others.
Romantic Poetry
Features of Romantic Poetry
- Themes: Loneliness, failure, love, the romantic individual’s life, expression of a bitter rebellion.
- Expression of Feelings: Often uses medieval legends.
- Metric: Recovers the romance form, makes use of freedom, invents new verses.
- Poetic Language: Uses imagery of the night, cemeteries, ruins, etc.
José de Espronceda (1808-1842)
José de Espronceda led a passionate, turbulent, and idealistic life.
His works include Canción del pirata, El estudiante de Salamanca, and El diablo mundo.
Romantic Theater
Theater was the most important romantic genre.
Features of Romantic Theater
- Themes: Based on issues from legends and historical drama.
- Characters: Belong to higher social classes.
- Innovation: Theater is very innovative.
- Environments: Stunning environments in convents, castles, etc.
Ángel Saavedra, Duque de Rivas (1791-1865)
Ángel Saavedra opened the road to success for romantic drama with the performance of Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino (1835).
José Zorrilla (1817-1893)
José Zorrilla was the most successful author, inspired by historical and legendary themes. His most popular work is Don Juan Tenorio (1844).
Late Romanticism (1855-1875)
Late Romanticism is full of pathetic elements and has an unconvincing style. It uses symbols inspired by elements of nature. Literary language becomes simpler, expressing the ‘I’.
Key Figures of Late Romanticism
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836-1870)
Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer was born in Seville and settled in Madrid. He became a journalist, was poor, experienced failure in love, and died very young from tuberculosis.
His work includes Leyendas and Rimas.
Rosalía de Castro (1837-1885)
Rosalía de Castro was born in Galicia. Part of her works were translated into Galician. She led a painful and lonely existence, feeling a sense of rootlessness for years.
Her books include En las orillas del Sar and Cantares Gallegos.
Defining Characteristics of Romanticism
- Irrationalism: Does not believe in absolute truth because it is constantly changing and sometimes incomprehensible.
- Subjectivism: Since reason is not accepted as the sole way of understanding, other means like intuition must be used.
- Individualism: The individual is considered different or even superior to others.
- The Creative Genius: Art is the expression of the creator’s genius, which takes center stage.
- Radical Insecurity: The romantic individual is insecure but also eager to find new solutions to the doubts that arise.
- Disillusionment (Desengaño): A desire to rebel against moral rules.
- Evasion: Appears, sometimes leading to suicide.
- Solitude: Escapes from reality by taking refuge in oneself.
- Dynamic Nature: Represents nature in a dynamic form.
- New Sensitivity: Prioritizes privacy and a taste for the symbolic.
- Nationalism: Seeks roots in history.