Renaissance Prose and Theater: Machiavelli to Cervantes
Renaissance Thought and Prose
The Renaissance marked a shift from the Middle Ages, adapting Greco-Roman classics to modern times. This required rethinking all aspects of life through the lens of humanism. This need led to new models of thought in prose, distinct from those of the Middle Ages. In Europe, the most influential thinkers from Italy were Niccolò Machiavelli and Baldassare Castiglione.
- Niccolò Machiavelli: In his work, *The Prince*, Machiavelli argues that the end justifies the means,
Joseph Cadalso’s Moroccan Letters: 18th-Century Spain
Joseph Cadalso’s *Moroccan Letters*: An Insight into 18th-Century Spain
Letters of Joseph Cadalso, also known as *Moroccan Letters*, is a work written in the 18th century. It coincides with the Enlightenment, a cultural movement born in France, based on reason as the primary way of acquiring knowledge. The Enlightenment rejected the ideas of the Old Regime, making way for new forms of thought, the “lights.” Some of its most outstanding features are:
- The promotion of science and the experimental method.
Literary Genres: Types, Subgenres, and Examples
Literary Genres: An Overview
Literary genres are the different categories an author can use to present their work, depending on their desired approach and subject matter.
Types of Genres
Lyric Genre
Lyric poets express their inner selves, conveying their feelings and presenting the reader with intimate personal experiences and their perception of the world. Verse is often used, but poetic prose is also an option.
Dramatic or Theatrical Genre
The author sets the scene with characters who interact to develop
Read MoreSpanish Literature: Modernism and Generation of ’98
Key Works and Authors of Modernism and the Generation of ’98
Rubén Darío – “Blue” (Azul…)
Theme: The poet seeks the secret of poetry, asking his fairy muse for guidance.
Summary: The poet reflects on poetry, yearning to uncover its mysteries. He asks his fairy muse for help, and she leads him on a journey of discovery. She shows him a golden garden, the dawn, and the freshest flowers, but he desires more. Finally, the sight of a beautiful woman’s face provides the ultimate inspiration.
Manuel
Read MoreSalvat-Papasseit’s Rose to the Lips: Erotic Poetry
The Poem of the Rose to the Lips: An In-Depth Look
Introduction
The Poem of the Rose to the Lips is considered the best book of erotic poetry in Catalan. The poet conveys pleasure and joy with a zest for life and victory in sex. It brings together poems written between 1921 and 1923. The book tells a unified story of love that corresponds to Salvat’s biography, although it is difficult to find a real correlation. It is believed that he could have been circumventing an acquaintance when he was admitted
Read MoreNew Journalism, Postmodernism, and Cultural Shifts
What is New Journalism?
New Journalism emerged in the 1960s and 70s as a reflection of the “crazy” American society, often surpassing fiction in its vivid portrayal of real events. It aimed for an objective point of view (POV) while immersing the reader, effectively turning reality into skeptical entertainment. Stylistically innovative, it often featured the narrator as a “method actor,” participating in the events described. Publications like *The New Yorker* were key platforms for this style.
Read More