Renaissance Literature: Imitation, Language, and the Rise of Vernacular
The Poet: Imitator and Illuminated
The Renaissance understanding of the poet intertwined two concepts: the poet as imitator and the poet as divinely inspired, a notion nurtured within Neoplatonic circles. This dual nature connected to the debate surrounding poetry’s relationship with truth. These ideas, gaining traction in the latter half of the 16th century, echoed Plato’s suspicion of poets as detrimental to society and Christianity’s similar wariness. However, a counter-argument emerged, suggesting
Read MoreNarrative Worlds in Literature: A Comprehensive Overview
Narrative Worlds in Literature
1. Types of Narrative Worlds Based on Representation
1.1. The Everyday World
These stories depict reality as closely as possible, characterized by objective and detailed descriptions of objects, landscapes, events, and character actions. The represented world focuses on regional and indigenous aspects, often portraying a “box of habits.” In Chile, these stories were abundant from the mid-nineteenth century until the last third of the twentieth century, closely linked
Read MoreThe Epic Poem of El Cid: A Hero’s Journey in Medieval Spain
The Epic of El Cid
The Work
This epic poem blends elements of swashbuckling adventure and heroic feats. Primarily written in Alexandrine verse, some lines vary from 10 to 20 syllables, employing assonance rhyme. As the first preserved Spanish epic poem, it explores themes of heroism, death, family, and honor within the medieval social context, where personal prestige reigned supreme. The poem also reflects the era’s prevalent greed and desire for wealth.
Characters
El Cid (Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar)
A virtuous
Read MoreLiterary Genres and Devices
Literary Genres
Epic or Narrative
Epic Genres: Verse plays that tell historical or legendary feats of heroes.
- Epic (Heroic Deeds): Narratives like the Iliad and the Odyssey.
- Epic (Civilization): Tells of a people or civilization, such as the Lusiads.
- Chanson de Geste: Praising a hero (e.g., The Song of Mio Cid).
- Romances: Diverse topics of popular character.
Narrative Genres: Prose works that tell stories or adventures.
- Novel: Relatively extensive. Originated with Don Quixote.
- Short Story: Brief narratives,
Realism and Innovation in Spanish Literature: A Journey Through 19th and 20th Century Theatre and Novels
Realism in 19th Century Spanish Novels
Definition and Context
Realism, a literary movement striving for utmost verisimilitude, emerged in France within an urban, industrial society and a solidified bourgeoisie. Flourishing in the latter half of the 19th century, it peaked with the realist novel in the 1880s, incorporating elements of naturalism. By 1890, it evolved into spiritual realism, coinciding with the rise of modernism. Key philosophical currents during this period included Krausismo, promoting
Read More18th and 19th Century Literature: Enlightenment and Romanticism
18th Century: The Enlightenment
Context
The 18th century, a period of demographic and economic growth, was largely optimistic. This era coincided with the Enlightenment, a movement championing reason as the path to truth, with prominent figures like Diderot, D’Alembert, and Voltaire leading the charge, primarily in France. Meanwhile, the Bourbons reigned in Spain with their despotism. This century saw the arrival of the essay in Spain, a reflexive genre offering perspectives on various aspects
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