Spanish Golden Age Literary Movements
Renaissance Ideological Movement
Themes in Renaissance Literature
- Love: Subjectivity of the poet expressing personal feelings.
- Nature: Poetic action in idealized landscapes, often with Greek and Latin myths.
Garcilaso de la Vega
Represents the spirit of Spain in the first half of the 16th century. Died young on the battlefield. His works are short but of high quality, containing essential themes and resources.
- Sonnets: Wrote 40 sonnets, almost all on love.
- Eclogues: Three pastoral elegies.
- Songs: Four songs and two elegies.
His lyrical themes are fully Renaissance. His style is based on ideals of naturalness and balance.
Religious Poetry
In the second half of the 16th century, authors emphasized religious themes, proliferating in Spain. This period saw the exaltation of Catholicism, with clerics, monks, and nuns as prominent writers.
Fray Luis de León
Born in Belmonte (1527-1591), an Augustinian friar. He was a professor who suffered a wrongful accusation and imprisonment. He was acquitted and returned to his professorship. He wrote important prose works (Song of Songs, The Perfect Wife). His fame is due to his poetry (Ode to the Retired Life, Prophecy of the Tagus, Calm Night, In the Ascent). His restless spirit sought peace, harmony, and relaxation.
San Juan de la Cruz
Born in Fontiveros (1542-1591), a Carmelite friar. He studied philosophy and theology. He composed three mystical poetic works (Spiritual Canticle, Dark Night, Living Flame of Love), describing the encounter between God and the soul. He wrote explanatory comments for each poem and some short compositions. His compositions are understood as an analysis and description of the union with God.
The Novel – Lazarillo de Tormes
The 16th-century novel was far from what we know today. In 1554, an anonymous work was published, constituting the birth of the modern novel: The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes. Lazaro lives in Toledo and marries a maid. The work consists of a prologue and seven chapters. It includes many traditional elements, but its originality lies in the anecdotes integrated into a narrative and the changing character of Lazarus. It is the first realist novel, with an antihero protagonist. The style is simple.
Biography of Cervantes
Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) was born in Alcalá de Henares and studied in Madrid. He traveled to Italy, coming into contact with the Renaissance world. He participated in the Battle of Lepanto, and his experiences were reflected in his works. He faced economic hardship and personal problems. He achieved success with the first part of Don Quixote (1605).
Works of Cervantes
Poetry and Theater
Voyage of the Parnassus is a poem in triplets. He also wrote sonnets, ballads, and carols. He wrote dramatic comedies (The Treatment of Algiers), tragedies (The Siege of Numancia), and interludes (Judge of Divorces).
Novel
He cultivated all narrative subgenres. His first work was Galatea (1585), a pastoral novel. The Labors of Persiles and Sigismunda was his last novel. Exemplary Novels (1613) are twelve stories (The Dialogue of the Dogs, The Gypsy Girl, The Illustrious Kitchen Maid).
Don Quixote
The most recognized work of Spanish literature, translated and edited worldwide. Published in two parts: The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. In 1614, a false sequel appeared by Alonso Fernández de Avellaneda.
Structure and Argument
Structured in two parts (organized into three outings). First part: outings 1-6, second part: outings 7-52, third part: part two.
Genesis and Intention
To ridicule the stories of knight-errantry. Parody and comedy. Representation of idealism against realism. Exhibition of his own ideas.
Characters
Don Quixote and Sancho Panza represent opposites but exchange roles.
Language and Style
- Double narrative technique.
- Full utilization of irony and parody.
- Transmission forms of realism and richness of language.
Baroque Literature (17th Century)
Crisis, decline of the Spanish Empire, economic insecurity, chaotic vision of the world. Tendency to exaggeration and excess, manifested in two literary trends: culteranismo and conceptismo.
Luis de Góngora
Born and died in Córdoba. He studied law at Salamanca and enjoyed great fame as a poet. He wrote three important works: Fable of Polyphemus and Galatea, Solitudes, and Fabula of Pyramus and Thisbe. He also wrote 200 sonnets, ballads, and other poems.
Lope de Vega
A prominent playwright who also wrote lyrical and poetic compositions. He was ordained a priest after the death of his second wife. He composed The Isidro, La Dragontea, and La Gatomaquia. He wrote lyrical works like The Rhymes, The Sacred Rhymes, and The Human and Divine Rhymes. He treated all terms of poetry.
Francisco de Quevedo
From a noble family in Madrid, he was devoted to diplomacy and politics without success. He faced imprisonment and was known for his mocking character and sharp wit. He wrote about 1000 compositions (poetry), using puns, hyperbole, and parables. He took a serious tone on issues like death and love.
Baroque Prose – The Picaresque
Stands out in the 17th century with features like a protagonist of ignoble origin, autobiographical narrative, fictional story referred to several masters, alternating service in different places of good and bad fortune, and evolution from childhood to maturity.
Baroque Theater – Comedy
Great show and phenomenological importance. Activity controlled by the church and civil authorities. Characteristics of the new comedy: it does not respect the three dramatic units (time, place, action), mixed tragic and comic elements, standard characters (gallant, lady, old), divided into three acts, written in verse, and diverse topics, mainly love.
Calderón’s Theater
Achieved fame as a playwright and introduced innovations in dramatic technique. He authored courtly plays, 120 plays, 80 mystery plays, and short pieces. He used baroque language with culto elements and concepts. Notable works include The Mayor of Zalamea, The Physician of His Honour, and The Phantom Lady.
Scientific Terminology
- Terms from Latin and Greek languages.
- Eponyms and loans.
- Acronyms and abbreviations.
- Metaphors.
Coordination
- Copulation: Addition (and), denial (or).
- Dilemma: Alternation (or).
- Adverse: Opposition (but, however).
- Exclusion: Stated restrictions.
- Clarification: (i.e., that is).
- Distributive: Coordination.
Subordination
Union of two elements using a link.