Spanish Theater: Civil War’s Impact and Postwar Evolution
Drama From the Civil War: A Theatrical Evolution
The evolution of Spanish theater was significantly shaped by the Civil War and its tragic consequences. Various artistic guidelines developed in the area, and the national Republican scene was marked by the exile of figures like Max Aub and Rafael Alberti, as well as the deaths of Federico García Lorca and Ramón del Valle-Inclán.
Postwar Theater: Nationalistic and Bourgeois
The postwar era was dominated by a national theater serving the dictatorship.
Read MoreSpanish Literature of the Early 20th Century
1. Spanish Historical Context
The nineteenth century ended with the Disaster of ’98 (Spain lost its overseas colonies—Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines—through military defeat by the U.S.). This period of tension, marked by poor living conditions and scientific and technological backwardness, prompted intellectuals to modernize Spain. This eagerness for modernization is reflected in the works of many authors. In 1902, Alfonso XIII came to power, supporting the coup of Primo de Rivera, which
Read MoreSpanish Renaissance Poetry: Themes, Forms & Major Poets
16th Century Spanish Poetry: Renaissance Influence
In the sixteenth century, considerable diversity and poetic harmony existed between traditional folk poetry and the new Renaissance poetry. Starting in the 1520s, poetry from Renaissance Italy was introduced by Garcilaso de la Vega and Juan Boscán.
Key Renaissance Themes
The sources for Renaissance poets were often Latin poetry, exploring various topics and subjects:
- Collige, virgo, rosas: Urges the young to enjoy their youth and love before time destroys
Key Movements in 20th Century Latin American Novels
Realism in Latin American Novels
This movement focused on the life difficulties within Hispanic American republics, often with a testimonial purpose. Realist novels frequently addressed the oppression of Indigenous peoples, generating indignation.
Notable authors and works include:
- Mariano Azuela
- Rómulo Gallegos: Doña Bárbara
- Ricardo Güiraldes: Don Segundo Sombra
- José Eustasio Rivera: La Vorágine (The Vortex)
- Jorge Icaza: Huasipungo
- Ciro Alegría: El mundo es ancho y ajeno (The World is Broad and
Miguel Hernández and Spanish Poetry After 1936
The Generation of ’36 and Miguel Hernández
The period from 1936-1939 saw the development of ideological propaganda literature, often lacking in literary quality. However, Miguel Hernández stands out.
Miguel Hernández (1910-1942)
He bridges the Generation of ’27 and the Generation of ’36. His work typically explores three main themes:
- The tragic sense of life
- Love
- Social commitment
His poetry utilizes both traditional verse forms and free verse. He employs symbols, including erotic (belly, pain), feminine
Read MoreGreek Mythology: Zeus, Athena, and the Divine Reigns
The Reign of Divine Chronos: 2nd Generation
Uranus hated his monstrous children and kept them locked in Tartarus. Gaia (Earth) was angry with Uranus and asked the Titans to avenge their father. Only Cronus accepted, receiving a sickle from his mother to castrate Uranus. From the blood of Uranus that fell to Earth, a new generation of monsters, the Gigantes, were born. Cronus then overthrew his father and seized power on Mount Olympus. He married his sister Rhea, with whom he had three children: Hestia,
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