18th Century Spanish Literature: Neoclassicism and Pre-Romanticism
Neoclassicism and Pre-Romanticism in 18th Century Spanish Literature
Poetry
While Baroque poetry, best represented by Diego Torres Villarroel and Francisco de Quevedo, dominated the previous century, the 18th century saw the rise of Neoclassicism and Pre-Romanticism. Neoclassical poetry, championed by Juan Meléndez Valdés, emphasized order, reason, and imitation of classical models. Pre-Romantic poetry, on the other hand, explored themes of intense emotion, metaphysical reflection, and social issues.
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20th Century Spanish Literature
Poetry
Miguel Hernandez
Expert on moons, the ray that does not stop, violated the whistle, wind of the people, the man waits, songs and ballads of absences.
Generation of ’36
New attitude to poetry and life, the word takes precedence over the poetic image, the operational simplicity of the everyday as a source of inspiration and the transparency of language, the human claim over ideology, intimate and religious issues.
Poets in Exile
Juan Gil-Albert
Mysterious presence, burning
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20th and 21st Century Spanish Poetry
The Bourgeois Theater and Evasion
In post-war Spain, theater primarily served as escapism for the audience. However, some playwrights offered innovative and critical perspectives on the social and historical realities of the time. Common themes included marital infidelity and rebellious children. This bourgeois theater remained dominant until around 1949, with prominent figures like Joaquín Calvo Sotelo, Tena, and Lucas.
Poncela, Jardiel, and Henry
These playwrights
Read MoreAnalysis of Rima XI by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Rima XI by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer
Analysis and Interpretation
Introduction
This document offers a comprehensive analysis of Rima XI by Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, exploring its external and internal structure, themes, stylistic devices, and characters.
External Structure and Metrics
Rima XI is a poem composed of three stanzas, each with five lines. The first three lines of each stanza are decasyllabic (ten syllables). The fourth line is pentasyllabic (five syllables), and the fifth is tetrasyllabic (four
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Pedro Salinas (1892-1951)
Born in Madrid, Pedro Salinas’s life was disrupted by the Spanish Civil War, forcing him into exile in the United States. His early work was influenced by the pure poetry of Juan Ramón Jiménez (Omens), later evolving into avant-garde futurism (Fabula and Sign). Salinas is best known as a poet of love, employing nominal constructions, few adjectives, and free verse to explore the depths of human connection.
Jorge Guillén (1893-1984)
Born in Valladolid, Jorge Guillén also
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Poetry
The Civil War and Exile
The Spanish Civil War had a profound impact on Spanish poetry. Many poets went into exile, including those from the Generation of ’14 (like Juan Ramón Jiménez), the Generation of ’27 (like Vicente Aleixandre), and emerging poets whose careers were interrupted by the war. A prominent theme in this period was the loss of homeland and family.
Miguel Hernández: A tragic figure, Hernández’s life and work were cut short by the war. He served as a bridge between the Generation
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