Miguel Hernandez: Poetry and Social-Political Commitment
Early Works and the Impact of the Civil War
Miguel Hernandez’s poetry is inseparable from his social and political commitment. The Spanish Civil War significantly impacted his development as a poet. While he was mastering his craft in works like The Lightning that Never Stops, the war introduced him to the realities of oppression, exploitation, and the struggles of the poor. His early works, such as Perito en Lunas and The Lightning that Never Stops, primarily focused on literary and romantic themes,
Read MoreMedieval Spanish Literature: Epic Poems to Prose
1. The Epic Poem
Epic poetry has always existed to exalt heroes, encourage warriors, and strengthen national sentiment. This type of poetry follows lyric poetry and is rare in the literature of primitive peoples.
Medieval Romantic Epic
The medieval romantic epic is constituted by so-called epics. Among the French chanson de geste, Chanson de Roland (eleventh century) stands out. A few preserved Castilian songs include a snippet of Roncesvalles, the Cantar de Mio Cid, Poema de Fernán González, and
Read MoreQuim Monzó and Post-War Catalan Literature: Trends and Styles
Quim Monzó: A Literary Overview
5 – Short Stories by Quim Monzó
Quim Monzó, born in Barcelona in 1952, is a multifaceted artist: a graphic designer, writer, and translator. However, his primary identity lies in his role as a writer. His literary journey began with his first novel, “The Howl of the Gray Edge of the Sewers” (1976), followed by “Self Service” (1977). These early works reflected the aesthetic coordinates of some authors from the Generation of 70, showcasing features that would become
Read MoreThe Medieval Lyric and the Poetry of the 15th Century in Castile
Theme 1: The Medieval Lyric
1.2 The Educated Lyric
These are more extensive and complex texts than the traditional lyric. Besides the theme of love, they address moral, philosophical, and critical issues of characters or social groups.
1.2.1 Moaxajas
Written in classical Arabic or Hebrew and created in the 10th century, these educated compositions range in length from 5 to 7 stanzas, at the end of which the jarcha (see above) is inserted. The subject matter is not frivolous but is always related to
Read MoreIntroduction to Literature: Genres, Styles, and History
Literature
The term “literature” comes from the Latin word “littera” (“letter”). Originally, it referred to all written works. Over time, it has come to designate works composed with an aesthetic purpose. Literature is an art form using spoken or written language.
Verse and Prose
Verse: Aims to create rhythmic sensations through lines, pauses, and repetition of elements like syllables, stress patterns, and rhyme.
Prose: Generally lacks the rhythmic pattern that characterizes verse.
Verse Metrics
- Line
Spanish Literature of the Golden Age: Styles, Authors, and Themes
Spanish Literature of the Golden Age
Literary Styles
Culteranismo
Culteranismo, exemplified by Luis de Góngora, emphasizes formal beauty, vibrant imagery, and sensory language. It features elaborate metaphors, hyperbaton, cultisms, and unusual vocabulary.
Conceptismo
Conceptismo, represented by Francisco de Quevedo and Baltasar Gracián, prioritizes conciseness, wit, and ingenuity. It employs ellipses, paradoxes, wordplay, antithesis, and hyperbole.
Poetry
Poetry of the Golden Age adopted Italian forms
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