20th Century Spanish Theater: From Modernism to Post-Franco Era
Theater in the First Half of the 20th Century
Modernist Theater and the Generation of ’98
At the beginning of the century, inherited theatrical forms from the previous century continued to be represented. Until 1920, there was no noticeable attempt to renovate the theater. Authors of the Generation of ’98 and ’27 laid the groundwork for innovative theatrical creations that transcended Spain’s borders.
A ‘commercial’ theater triumphed in these early decades. Enduring works by Carlos Arniches and the
Read MoreMedieval Spanish Literature: Lyrics, Epics, and Prose
Medieval Spanish Literature
Lyrical Poetry
Jarchas and Cantigas de Amigo
The Mozarabic jarchas and Galician-Portuguese cantigas de amigo, along with Castilian songs, share lyrical patterns common across the Iberian Peninsula. As oral literature, their exact composition dates are unknown. We know these lyric forms through medieval and Renaissance manuscripts. The jarchas date from the mid-11th to the first half of the 14th century. The cantigas de amigo date from the late 12th to the late 14th century.
Read MoreLullaby and Other Existential Poems: Exploring Life, Death, and Love
Lullaby (Existential/Parental Love)
Written after the loss of his child, this poem personifies death as a constant companion rooted in the poet’s existence. Despite the pain, the poet finds solace in the memory of his daughter. This lullaby, with its gentle, rhyming verses, is a tender expression of love and grief.
So, Please (Existential)
This monosyllabic poem, using onomatopoeia and dialogue, portrays death’s silent arrival and the void it leaves behind. The simplicity of the poem emphasizes death’
Read MoreContemporary Latin American Narrative: Magical Realism and Beyond
Contemporary Latin American Narrative
Realism in Latin America
The narrative in Latin America evolved with the arrival of Romanticism and Manners in the 19th century. Only in the 19th and early 20th centuries did the genre begin to consolidate with the influence of Modernism and Realism imported from Europe. The decline of Modernism paved the way for Realism, which dominated Hispanic narrative well into the 1940s.
The Realist Novel
Realist narrators focused their stories on the difficult lives within
Read MoreCatalan Literature: A Historical Overview
Ramon Llull (13th Century)
Ramon Llull, a prominent figure in Catalan literature, lived a long life during the 13th century. His works are considered the first great classics of Catalan literature. He is credited with creating a literary language rich in vocabulary and syntax, previously unseen. Llull was a prolific writer, with over 250 attributed works, all handwritten in Latin, Arabic, and Catalan. He dedicated his life to spreading the Christian faith through rational arguments. Llull is also
Read MoreAncient Rome: History, Society, and Culture
Ancient Rome: A Historical Overview
The Environment and Early Inhabitants
Rome was located on the Italian peninsula, along the banks of the Tiber River. The city was nestled amidst a mountainous landscape, with the Alps to the north and the Apennine Mountains running north to south. In the 8th century BC, when Rome was founded, Italy was inhabited by Etruscans, Latins, and Greeks.
Etruscans
The Etruscans occupied the area between the Tiber and Arno rivers. They were organized into city-states ruled
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