Roman Oratory and Rhetoric: From Cicero to Quintilian
**Oratory and Rhetoric in Ancient Rome**
Eloquence has been regarded as a manifestation of the original Roman genius. The word had an important role, as parliamentary debates could not be driven, and were dominated by men who were not telling. Oratory was a very valuable tool to influence public opinion in the political fight.
Rhetoric was born in Greece around the 5th century BC as a technical systematization of stylistic procedures for the speaker’s exposition. It came to Rome in the middle of the
Read MoreSpanish Baroque Literature: Culteranismo, Conceptismo, and Theater
Culteranismo and Conceptismo in Spanish Baroque Literature
Culteranismo, championed by Luis de Góngora, aimed to create a refined poetic language. It emphasized formal beauty, vibrant imagery, and sensory experiences. This style involved intricate language, including bold metaphors, hyperbatons, and cultisms (learned or unusual words).
Conceptismo, represented by Francisco de Quevedo and Baltasar Gracián, focused on conciseness and expressive density. It sought wit and sharpness through ellipses,
Read MoreCatalan Literature: Historical Periods and Key Authors
Illustration
The Illustration was a stream of thought that extolled reason and urged the spirit of ideas and progress. It is characterized by rationalism (based on reason) and empiricism (based on experience). It was a time of optimism that opposed the Baroque, and during this period, the encyclopedia was created. Academies were created, which in some institutions were beginning. In The Hague, there were very few people, and people loved to write and put together works. They held classes, defended
Read MoreAntonio Machado’s Poetry: Solitudes, Fields of Castile, and Civil War Poems
Contextualization
The texts we will analyze belong to *Solitudes*, *Fields of Castile*, and *Poems of the Civil War*, written by Antonio Machado. Born in Seville in 1875, Machado moved to Madrid eight years later. In 1902, he established a lasting friendship with the writer Rubén Darío. Influenced by modernism, he published his first book in 1903. After meeting his beloved Leonor, he moved to Paris. Following her death, Machado began to create increasingly personal literature. He fell ill in late
Read MoreSpanish Literature: From Medieval Times to the Renaissance
Uses of the Pronoun “Se” in Spanish
False “Se”: Used as a personal pronoun to replace le, les (indirect object), when followed by a pronoun lo, la, los, las (direct object).
- Function: Indirect Object
- Equivalent: on, it…
- Example: Se lo di (I gave it to him/her/them – I gave the book).
Reflexive Pronoun: Replaces a noun phrase that matches the subject.
- Function: Direct Object, Indirect Object
- Reinforcement: a sí mismo (himself, herself, itself, themselves)
- Example: Carlos se peina (Carlos combs his hair)
Spanish Renaissance Literature: Key Authors and Works
Fray Luis de León
Fray Luis de León was born in Belmonte, Cuenca, in 1527. He entered the Augustinian order and graduated as a Doctor of Theology from the University of Salamanca. He secured a chair at the university but was jailed for five years for translating the Song of Songs into Castilian and defending the Hebrew text of the Old Testament. He was declared innocent, released, and resumed his university activities until his death in Madrigal de las Altas Torres, Ávila, on August 23, 1591.
Poetry
Fray
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