Spanish Baroque Literature: Poetry, Theater, and Prose

The 17th Century: A General Crisis and the Baroque

The 17th century, often referred to as the period of the General Crisis, fostered a worldview characterized by chaos and disillusionment. This sentiment manifested in an exaggerated aesthetic, particularly evident in the language of the time. Two prominent literary movements emerged: Culteranismo, championed by Góngora, focused on formal beauty, while Conceptismo, associated with Quevedo, emphasized content density.

Baroque Poetry: Reflecting Pessimism and Crisis

Baroque poetry mirrored the era’s pessimism and sense of crisis. While Renaissance themes persisted, new religious, moral, and philosophical themes also emerged. The poetry blended Italian Renaissance forms with traditional Castilian ones.

Key Figures in Baroque Poetry

  • Góngora: His work is divided into two stages:
    • First Stage: Varied metrics and popular subjects.
    • Second Stage: Hermetic poetry aimed at an educated minority. Notable works include sonnets and longer poems like “Fable of Polyphemus and Galatea” and “Solitudes.”
  • Quevedo: Addressed diverse themes. His love sonnets and patriotic works are particularly renowned.
  • Lope de Vega: Though he cultivated all genres, he excelled in theater. His favorite subjects included family problems and religious crises. Notable works include “Rhymes” and “Sacred Rhymes.”

Baroque Theater: A Spectacle for All

Baroque theater was the most developed genre of the 17th century, attracting audiences from all social classes. Lope de Vega’s “New Art of Making Plays” established a new theatrical form. The monarchy, religion, and honor were central values in Lope’s theater, as seen in works like “The Dog in the Manger,” “The Foolish Lady,” and “Peribáñez.”

Characteristics of Baroque Theater

  • Plays were performed in “corrales de comedias.”
  • Established character archetypes: the lady, the knight, the jester, and the servant.
  • Predominant themes: honor and love.
  • Genres: sitcom and comedy.
  • Disregarded the classical rule of three unities.
  • Mixed comedy and tragedy, prose and verse.
  • Plays were divided into three acts: exposition, development, and resolution.

Argumentative Texts: Persuasion Through Reason

Argumentation involves providing reasons to support an opinion. It serves an appellate function, aiming to influence the opinions, attitudes, or behaviors of an audience. Argumentation is fundamental to daily life.

Types of Arguments

  • Deductive: Proceeds from a general truth to a specific conclusion.
  • Inductive: Derives a general law, principle, or thesis from specific data.
  • Framed: Presents the thesis at the beginning and end of the argumentative text.

Structure of Argumentative Texts

Argumentative texts are typically structured as follows:

  • Introduction: Presents the issue.
  • Argument: States the facts, presents opposing ideas (counterarguments or objections), and provides arguments supporting the author’s opinion.
  • Conclusion: Summarizes the argument and often reiterates the initial idea, sometimes including a call to action for the audience.

Expository Texts: Presenting and Explaining Ideas

Expository texts aim to present, explain, or develop ideas or issues.

Classifications of Expository Texts

  • Based on the author’s position: Objective or subjective.
  • Based on intention: Informative, instructive, predictive, or imperative.
  • Based on the target audience: More or less informative.
  • Based on the broadcast channel: Oral or written.

Organizational Patterns of Expository Texts

  • Linear: Presents information chronologically.
  • Hierarchical: Orders information from most to least important, or vice versa.
  • Deductive or Inductive: Similar to argumentative structures.
  • Logical: Follows the inherent logic of the subject matter.

Linguistic Characteristics of Expository Texts

  • Precision: Employs appropriate and precise language, avoiding ambiguous or overly general terms.
  • Clarity and Simplicity: Uses straightforward, concise language and short sentences.
  • Order and Hierarchy: Organizes ideas logically and hierarchically.