Life and Death in the Poetry of Miguel Hernández
Early Works: Perito en Lunas
Life and death are prominent themes in Miguel Hernández’s poetry. In Perito en Lunas, his Gongoristic style elevates everyday life through complex metaphors, also addressing life and death. The poem “Egg” depicts the creation of life, while “Funeral” and “Cemetery” explore death.
Love and Loss in El rayo que no cesa
El rayo que no cesa emphasizes love alongside life and death. Hernández expresses the joys and sorrows of love, portraying life through a lens of unrequited
Read MoreTroubadour Poetry in Feudal Society
Feudal Society (11th-13th Centuries)
Feudal society was characterized by two main classes:
- The Ruling Class: Noble lords and ladies who lived in castles and palaces, managing their vast estates.
- The Working Class: Serfs and servants who lived in humble dwellings and worked the land, providing agricultural and animal services to their lords.
Feudal lords commanded armies of loyal vassals, bound by oaths of loyalty and dependence in a hierarchical system.
Oath of Allegiance
The hierarchical relationships
Read MoreMedieval Spanish Literature: Poetry, Narrative, and Prose
Medieval Spanish Literature
Poetry of Goliardo
Goliards were university students who traveled between schools, knowledgeable in Latin, and sought financial support to lead enjoyable lives. Their poetry, composed from the 11th to the 13th centuries, was learned yet lighthearted and witty. Intended for a select audience, these poems explored themes of love, criticism, and tavern life. Carmina Burana exemplifies this type of poetry.
Andalusian Poetry
Influenced by Arabic traditions, Andalusian poetry flourished
Read MoreLiterature: Genres, Functions, and Analysis
Literature: An Overview
What is Literature?
Literature is a complex phenomenon encompassing various text types, including poems, letters, and stories. It involves artistic manipulation of language to create aesthetic and emotional effects. Two key elements define literature:
- Creation of a fictional world
- Use of specific language to evoke emotions
Literature imitates a world imagined by the writer, not necessarily the real world. The language is used aesthetically, aiming to create impressions and emotions
Read MoreRoman Literary Theory: Rhetoric, Poetics, and the Sublime
Roman Literary Theory
Rhetorical and Poetic Synthesis
The main feature of Roman literary theory, primarily represented by Cicero and Horace, is the synthesis of rhetoric and poetics, as highlighted by A. Fontan in their article, Cicero and Horace, Literary Critics. This theory arose in response to a growing trend in literary practice where the distinction between rhetoric and poetics was becoming blurred.
Elocutio and the Restriction of Rhetoric
Poets began to prioritize elocutio (style and expression)
Read MoreExemplary Novels of Cervantes, Lope, Zayas, and Tirso
Exemplary Novels: Cervantes, Lope, Zayas, and Tirso
Cervantes’ Exemplary Novels
In the prologue, Cervantes clarifies that these novels do not depict impure acts, but rather exemplify good manners and offer entertainment. He also discusses his classical influences and the originality of his work, emphasizing that it is not translated or borrowed. Cervantes incorporates elements from other genres, such as the picaresque, though not fully embracing the picaresta model. Examples include Rinconete y Cortadillo
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