Venezuelan Romantic Epic & Gaucho Poetry: Literary Analysis
Definition of Romantic Epic
A Romantic Epic is a narrative poem characterized by its broad scope, strong nationalistic themes, and a central heroic figure.
Features of Romantic Epic:
- Critical view of reality
- Empathy
- Reliance on documentary sources
- Subjective vision of historical fact
- Poetic style
Summary of *Venezuela Heroica*
by Eduardo Blanco (1881)
Structure:
The book is composed of five sections, each detailing battles of Venezuelan independence:
- La Victoria
- San Mateo
- Las Queseras
- Boyaca
- Carabobo
The work achieved
Read MoreSpanish Theater Before 1936: Trends and Playwrights
Public taste often determined the direction of theater before 1936. Two major trends are frequently discussed: commercial theater and renewal. The former aimed to meet the demands of a typical theater audience, with comic or melodramatic traditional dramatic forms. The latter offered refreshing forms and themes, but it took many years to be fully appreciated.
Commercial Theater: Three Main Streams
Commercial theater developed in three distinct streams:
- Bourgeois Comedy/High Comedy (Benaventina): Named
Spanish Literature: Modernism, Vanguards, and Generation of ’27
Intimate feelings with melancholy and evocative. Modernist aesthetic themes and formal aspects.
Campos de Castilla
More simplicity. They collect their own generation of ’98 reasons, reflection on national identity and description Castilian landscape. Other poems reflect loss of Leonor.
Ramón María del Valle Inclán (1866-1936)
Pontevedra. Ideological trajectory of conservative Republicanism. Works: “Sonatas” and “Tirano Banderas.” Spanish Theater Renovation S. XX.
Theater
Modernist Aesthetics: “Comedies
Read MoreAncient Greek and Roman Art: Influences and Innovations
The evolution of Western art from ancient Greece is crucial for understanding Western history. The Greeks developed techniques (teknos) to create craftwork, achieving incredible perfection. Carpenters, craftsmen, and sculptors were highly regarded, unlike painters who were sometimes looked down upon. The Middle Ages generally maintained the aristocratic social value of labor, with intellectual pursuits like music, theater, poetry, and dance considered more meritorious than manual work. It wasn’t
Read MoreDeadlock Novel: Questions and Answers for Book Clubs
“Deadlock” Novel: Questions and Answers
The title of this book is a play on words. “Dead” means mort, and “Lock” means resclusa. What does “deadlock” mean? A complete failure to reach agreement or solve an argument.
Who was Boom Boom? Boom Boom was an injured hockey player working for Eudora Grain Company; he was found dead.
How did he die? A ship was tied up at the wharf, and Boom Boom went under as she pulled away. His body was badly chewed up (p. 2).
Who tells the story, and what relation does
Renaissance Spanish Poetry: Garcilaso, Fray Luis, St. John
Garcilaso de la Vega’s Path (3 Stages)
- Poetry of Songs: With octosyllabic verses, it presents the first forms alternating with Italian styles. It is abundant in the use of amorous games and wordplay.
- Petrarchan: Internalized love, describes his feelings of love, and uses nature as a framework for reflection and a half-portrait of his creative love.
- Plenitude: The fruit of Italy and its stance on the classical approach, formal and expressive sobriety of nature.
Work: Published in 1543, it includes epistles,
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