Spanish Medieval Poetry: Juan Ruiz & Jorge Manrique
POEMS
Juan Ruiz
Considered the first lyric poet in Castilian, alongside Berceo, and a key figure of the Mester de Clerecía. His only surviving work is the Book of Good Love, though his production was likely more extensive. This book reflects 14th-century society, including tensions between the emerging bourgeoisie and the nobility. The work, comprising 1728 stanzas, presents an autobiographical narrative that explores the risks of passionate love. The Dean, as protagonist, navigates a world of
Read MoreSpanish Romantic and Realistic Literature: Key Authors
Romantic Lyric: Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Sevillano, orphaned at a young age, Bécquer lived with his godmother. He moved to Madrid and contributed to periodicals and magazines. His wife inspired some of his verses, but another woman also influenced him. He died at the young age of 34.
His poetic style calls for compositions of rhymes. His tone is intimate, and his style is simple. His entire work is compiled in The Book of Sparrows, which is organized in a specific order:
- Rhymes 1-11: The mystery of
Linguistic Evolution in the Iberian Peninsula: From Latin to Modern Languages
Latin Roots in Hispania
Vulgar Latin came into contact with pre-Roman languages in Hispania. These included Celtic-Iberian and Lusitanian (Indo-European family), as well as Iberian, Basque, and Tartessian (language family unknown). All these pre-Roman languages eventually disappeared, although they influenced the Latin spoken in the region, with the notable exception of Basque, which survived.
Emergence of Romance Languages in Iberia
The Latin brought by Roman soldiers and settlers diversified through
Read More19th Century Spain: Modernism and the Generation of ’98
Final Crisis of the Century: Modernism and the Generation of ’98
The 19th century saw the rise of two movements in opposition to contemporary artistic styles: Realism, Modernism, and the Generation of ’98.
Historical and Cultural Context
The late 19th century experienced a significant decline. Two historical events profoundly impacted writers of this period:
- Colonial Wars: The loss of Spain’s last colonies, Cuba and Puerto Rico, led to a deep economic crisis. Intellectuals were deeply concerned, referring
Spanish Post-War Theater: From Bourgeois Comedy to Absurdist Humor
Spanish Post-War Theater
General Features
The post-Civil War Spanish theater served two primary functions: entertainment and ideological dissemination. This ideology was conveyed through various means:
- Dismissal of pre-war contributions, such as those of Federico García Lorca and Teatro Valle.
- Promotion of works that glorified the victors’ values.
- Reliance on classical authors to evoke a sense of a glorious past.
The state and church exerted strict control over new works and repertoires, fostering self-
Read MoreSpanish Novels of Exile, Postwar, and Experimentation
The Novel in Exile
The majority of exiled writers reproduced similar themes: memories of Spain before 1936, longing and desire to return, and reflections on the circumstances of war and exile. Many of their books were banned by censors. Best-known authors include:
- Ramón J. Sender (1901-1982): His work is divided into three areas: realistic narratives (Requiem for a Spanish Peasant), historical novels, and autobiographical accounts (Crónica del alba).
- Max Aub (1903-1972)
- Francisco Ayala (1906-): Notable