Minstrelsy Epic: Origins, Evolution, and Poema de Mio Cid
The Master of Minstrelsy: The Epic
It is a popular character; the Renaissance and the Baroque are cultured.
Epics: Origins and Characteristics
Epics have their origin in the barbaric chants sung before the battle to inspire courage. The term refers to sung tales of facts and events that were sung or recited by bards. These are for information and news, which derives one of its characteristics: realism. The word epic refers to featuring the exploits of heroes in the community who are identified, and
Read MoreUnderstanding Magical Realism in Latin American Literature
Magical Realism
Magical realism originated in Latin American literature. It blends the real with the fantastical, presenting wondrous elements as commonplace occurrences. This style emerged from the interpretation of the New World through European eyes, which often perceived Latin American reality as supernatural, filled with mythical creatures and lost cities. Think of sources of eternal youth and trees bearing fruits that provide all necessities.
Key figures who cultivated magical realism include
Read MoreMedieval Spanish Lyric and Epic: From Troubadours to El Cid
Medieval Spanish Lyric Poetry
Provençal Lyric Influence
This poetry was composed to be sung, always accompanied by music, and was performed by poets known as troubadours. Originating in the south of France, this courtly lyric, written in Provençal with elaborate artistic intention, primarily focuses on the theme of courtly love. This involved the idealization of the beloved, establishing a code where the poet dedicated his life to loving and praising a woman who often did not belong to him and might
Read MoreSpanish Language Diversity Across the Americas
The Spanish Language in America
The Spanish language began to spread in the Americas following Columbus’s arrival and expanded as new territories were conquered. The Spanish spoken in America is not uniform; it varies based on the conquerors’ origins, the colonization era, the degree of mixing with indigenous populations, and the native languages spoken in each region. The influence of the African slave trade and later European immigration, especially Italians (in parts of South America like the
Read MoreSpanish Neoclassical Literature: Cadalso and Moratín
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism, the literary movement developed in the 18th century, emerged as a response to the contempt provoked by Baroque literature among writers. Key characteristics include:
- The work responds to a universal model and is faithful to reality, opposing an aristocratic art based on traditional tastes of the country.
- Works do not mix the tragic and the comic.
- The aim of all literature is didactic, following the slogan “delight and teach”.
- All teaching is based on reason, harmony, good
Post-Civil War Spanish Drama: Key Trends and Authors
Spanish Theater After 1939: Context and Early Trends
From 1939 onwards, Spanish theater navigated a complex landscape shaped by socio-political factors and the aftermath of the Civil War. While some innovative voices disappeared or went into exile (like Casona), censorship and commercial constraints heavily influenced production.
High comedy, often set in middle-class environments with trivial themes, continued its run, alongside traditional costumbrista styles. However, by the late 1940s and early
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