The Renaissance Lyric and Spanish Literature’s Golden Age
The Renaissance Lyric
Italian Influence
Italian poetry introduced two key innovations: the pentameter and enjambment. These were incorporated into various Renaissance lyric verse forms, including triplets, lira, octave, sonnet, and Sapphic stanza.
Style and Themes
In the early 16th century, poetry emphasized simplicity and natural expression. This new poetry drew inspiration from Neo-Platonism, classical literature, and the Italian poetry of Petrarch.
The dominant theme was love, often portraying women
Read MoreTartuffe: Molière’s Timeless Comedy of Hypocrisy
The Seventeenth-Century French Theater: A Literary Movement
A Flourishing Era
The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries witnessed a theater boom across Europe, culminating in the development and consolidation of national theaters in England, Spain, and France. In France, the seventeenth century, known as the Grand Siècle, saw a surge in literary activity, particularly in theater. This period’s literature is characterized by a strong adherence to classicism, emphasizing the three unities (action, place,
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Catalan Literature: A Journey Through Time
Jacint Verdaguer: The Romantic Voice of Catalonia
Jacint Verdaguer (1845-1902), a prominent figure in Catalan literature, is considered the great lyric poet of the nineteenth century. Born in Folgueroles in the Osona region, he dedicated ten years to studying the classics and began his poetic journey. In 1865, he was honored at the Floral Games. Ordained as a priest, he served as a chaplain on a ship for two years before leaving to work for the Marquis de
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Verdaguer (1845-1902)
is the great lyric poet of the nineteenth century Catalan. Born in Folgueroles the Osona region. For ten years he studied the classics and began to make poetry.
In 1865 he was awarded the Floral Games. Was ordained priest, he enlisted as a chaplain on a ship. After two years of traveling left the ship and entered the service of the Marquis de Comillas. At around 40 years suffered a religious crisis. The Marquis broke with him. He died in 1902 of tuberculosis. His funeral was
Spanish Golden Age Playwrights: Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina, and Calderón de la Barca
Lope de Vega, a prolific writer, is known for his contributions to both comedy and drama. While his lyrical production brought him fame, his dramatic works are perhaps his most celebrated.
Drama: Lope de Vega’s dramatic output is vast, with forty-two mystery plays and over three hundred comedies preserved.
Best-Known Works:
- Comedies with a national theme: Fuenteovejuna, The Knight of Olmedo
- Comedies with invented subjects: Lope de Vega excelled at comedies where love is the central theme. These include
The Generation of ’27: A Deep Dive into Spanish Avant-Garde Poetry
The Generation of ’27: Avant-Garde Poetry in Spain
The year 1927 marked a significant gathering at the Ateneo de Sevilla, commemorating the tercentenary of Góngora’s death. This meeting brought together a group of authors who admired Góngora for his innovative use of poetic language. This date, 1927, became synonymous with this group, known as the Generation of ’27.
Intellectual Background and Relationships
The members of this group shared a strong intellectual bond, with many being university professors.
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