Spanish Baroque Literature: An In-Depth Analysis
Spanish Baroque Literature
1. Baroque Prose
Baroque prose narratives are categorized into two main types: the picaresque novel and the satirical novel. The latter often incorporates philosophical, moral, political, or literary criticism.
2. Narrative Prose
2.1. The Picaresque Novel
The picaresque novel, exemplified by Mateo Alemán’s Guzmán de Alfarache, follows the structure established by Lazarillo de Tormes:
- Fictional autobiography
- Episodic structure
- Themes of shame and survival
- Dishonorable protagonist
Alemán added these elements to the genre:
- Moralizing intent
- Bitterness, sarcasm, and pessimism
- Social criticism
- Stylized realism
- Baroque rhetoric
Quevedo’s El Buscón further developed the genre by introducing caricatured characters and elaborate rhetoric. The protagonist’s life is presented through selected episodes in chronological order.
2.2. The Satirical Novel of Manners
A key example is Luis Vélez de Guevara’s El Diablo Cojuelo.
2.3. The Philosophical-Allegorical Novel
Baltasar Gracián, initially publishing under a pseudonym, is known for El Criticón. This novel is characterized by:
- Byzantine structure
- Symbolic and philosophical themes
- Artificial and playful language
3. Critical and Moral Prose
The Baroque period saw a rise in political, satirical, and moral writings, reflecting pessimism and disillusionment. Even serious texts often employed clever wordplay.
3.1. Satirical Prose
Quevedo excelled in satire, criticizing social vices and customs in works like Premáticas y Consejos, La Hora de Todos, and Los Sueños.
3.2. Moral and Didactic Prose
This prose, often complex and challenging, reflects a pessimistic view of reality. Quevedo combined intellectual depth, literary ornamentation, and moral content with a dense and elliptical style.
Gracián’s moral treatises, such as El Héroe, El Discreto, and Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia, offer guidance for navigating a world full of traps.
3.3. Political Prose
Quevedo’s Política de Dios presents an image of the Christian prince, while Gracián’s El Político Don Fernando el Católico analyzes King Ferdinand. Saavedra Fajardo also contributed to this genre.
3.4. Literary Criticism
Quevedo critiqued culteranismo, Gracián analyzed literary devices, and Saavedra Fajardo authored República Literaria.
4. Baroque Theatre
Baroque theatre underwent significant changes in both content and form, with a dramatic increase in production.
4.1. The Legacy of the Renaissance
The Renaissance laid the groundwork for Baroque theatre with playwrights like Torres Naharro, Gil Vicente, Juan de la Cueva, and Cervantes.
4.2. The ‘New Comedy’
Lope de Vega revolutionized Spanish theatre with his ‘new art,’ creating a popular and accessible style that incorporated:
- Elements of earlier theatre
- Relatable themes and content
- Monarchist sentiment and honor
- Engaging narratives
- Integration of music and dance
This led to the professionalization of theatre and the establishment of permanent venues.
4.3. Technical Innovations
Lope de Vega’s innovations included:
- Three-act structure
- Dynamic scenes and shifting locations
- Rejection of the three unities
- Mixing of tragedy and comedy
- Use of varied meter
- Matching language to character
- Fixed character types
- Focus on love and honor
4.4. The Theme of Honor
The concept of honor, previously a noble privilege, was extended to commoners. It became a personal virtue based on public perception.
4.5. Two Cycles of ‘New Comedy’
Lope de Vega and Calderón de la Barca represent two distinct schools within the ‘new comedy.’
4.6. Lope de Vega
Known as the ‘Phoenix of Wits,’ Lope de Vega wrote prolifically, with surviving works covering various themes, including pastoral, mythological, historical, and religious subjects. Notable works include Fuenteovejuna, El Perro del Hortelano, and La Dama Boba.
4.7. Tirso de Molina
Tirso de Molina, the pseudonym of Fray Gabriel Téllez, introduced innovations such as complex characters like Don Juan, psychological depth, strong female characters, and theological themes. His works include El Burlador de Sevilla and Don Gil de las Calzas Verdes.
4.8. Calderón de la Barca
Calderón de la Barca, known for El Alcalde de Zalamea and La Vida es Sueño, marked the culmination of the Golden Age drama. His works explored philosophical and existential themes, further developing the innovations of Lope de Vega.