Catalan Literature: Reinaxença and Realism
1. Ode “Homeland” (1833)
Introduction
The Reinaxença period begins with the publication of the Ode “Homeland” in 1833 in the journal Steam. This ode embodies the ideals of the Reinaxença movement. It was written by Bonaventura Carles Aribau for his employer’s birthday, as both resided in Madrid.
Structure
The ode consists of six octaves of Alexandrine verse with a consonant rhyme scheme ABBAACCA.
Content
The ode is divided into three parts: verses 1 and 2 serve as the introduction, verses 3-5 form the
Read MoreRenaissance Prose: Idealism and Realism in Spanish Literature
Renaissance Prose
Idealist | Realistic |
Cavalry Novels Pastoral Novel Moorish Novel Sentimental Novels | Picaresque Novel: Lazarillo de Tormes Cervantes |
Idealist Prose
Cavalry Novels
These novels feature idealized and imaginary scenarios, where noble and handsome heroes rescue women with swords, even though firearms were already known at the time.
Pastoral Novel
Idealized shepherds in an idealized natural setting (locus amoenus) discuss their love and suffering.
Example: The Seven Books of the Diana by Jorge de Montemayor.
Read MoreThe Generation of ’27: Prose, Poetry, and Key Authors
The Prose of the Generation of ’27
Moving from a strictly literary conception of the avant-garde, the artwork of this generation also expresses the moral, social, and political concerns of its authors. José Ortega y Gasset’s ideas about the novel were a decisive influence. Important elements include originality, unusual scenes, the use of fantasy and imagination, the creation of specific environments, as well as humor, wit, and irony.
Key Prose Writers
Benjamin Jarnés: One of the most important avant-
Read More20th Century Spanish Theatre: From Sketches to the Absurd
20th Century Spanish Theatre
Early 20th Century Trends
In the early 20th century, Spanish theatre was divided into two main categories: popular entertainment and artistic renewal.
Popular Theatre
This category included:
- Sketches: Short, comedic plays based on popular stereotypes and settings. Andalusian sketches often featured lighthearted dialogue and emotional themes, while Madrid sketches focused on characters from traditional neighborhoods with humorous language and puns. Some playwrights, like
Narrative Prose in the Spanish Golden Age: A Guide
Narrative Prose in the Spanish Golden Age
1. Prose Fiction vs. Didactic Prose
Didactic Prose:
Didactic prose aims to teach and offer moral reflections. It often employs satire and irony. Didactic works include:
- Political treatises
- Philosophical essays
- Satirical-moral narratives
These works typically targeted a select audience.
Prose Fiction:
The primary function of prose fiction is to entertain, though it may also contain instructive elements. It strives to blend the marvelous and fantastical with believability.
Read MoreThe Generation of ’27: A Deep Dive into Spanish Poetry
The Generation of ’27
In the early 1920s, Spanish poetry was dominated by the works of Juan Ramón Jiménez and the avant-garde ideas of Creationism and Ultraísmo. Although these movements declined, young poets began to emerge, reinforcing their presence in Spanish lyricism. This culminated in the 1930s with a major poetic group: the Generation of ’27.
Some poets of this era sought the ideals of Noucentisme and pure poetry. These poets were influenced by Juan Ramón Jiménez, Ramón Gómez de la
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