Post-War and Social Poetry in Spain: 1940s & 1950s
Post-War Poetry in Spain: The 1940s
Existential Poetry
The Spanish Civil War dramatically impacted intellectual and artistic life, dividing poetry into two main streams. Established poets like Dámaso Alonso and Vicente Aleixandre continued their work alongside the Generation of ’36. In exile, poets like Juan Ramón Jiménez and León Felipe focused on the theme of Spain, evident in works like Felipe’s Verses and Prayers of a Walker.
Rooted Poetry
Centered around the Escorial and magazines like Garcilaso,
Read MoreGolden Age Literature: Renaissance & Baroque in Spain
Golden Age: Renaissance and Baroque Revival
Diverse and Contradictory Currents
Renaissance thought is shaped by humanism and classical culture. Born in Italian city-states aspiring to become republics, the movement emphasized rhetoric for persuasion and pedagogy.
Baroque Characteristics
The Baroque is marked by mistrust and fear of social decay, reflected in themes of disillusionment and life as a dream. Honor, echoing the divide between private and public life, is another recurring theme. In Spain,
Read MoreProminent Figures of Venezuelan History
Andrés Bello
Born in Caracas on November 29, 1781, and died in Santiago de Chile on October 15, 1865. Bello was a renowned humanist, poet, lawmaker, philosopher, educator, and critic. A significant aspect of his life is his writing, which has been largely preserved. His works from his time in Caracas include poems such as “To the Vaccine” and “The Anauco,” the romance “Of a Saman,” sonnets like “To the Victory Dance,” “An Artist,” “My Desires,” “Venezuela,” and “Spain Restored and Comforted,”
Read MoreSpanish Theater Before 1936: A Golden Age of Dramatic Literature
Spanish Theater Before 1936
A Unique Literary Genre
The theater is a unique literary genre where the connection between sender (author) and receiver (audience) isn’t immediate. From the moment a play is written until it’s performed, significant intermediation occurs. Theater is not only an art form but also a business with diverse interests influencing its development. In Spain, the bourgeois public often rejected plays addressing significant social or ideological issues, as well as those with experimental
Read MoreAncient Literature: Myths, Epics, and Dramatic Arts
Ancient Literature: An Overview
Topic 1: Ancient Literature
1. The Nature of Tragedies
Greek tragedies evoke pity, sadness, or terror, leading the soul through a process of purification known as catharsis. This involves the viewer perceiving human misery, the painful restoration of order, and the concept of trauma. The tragic form explores the religious and political antagonism between man and the cosmos, highlighting the complex relationship between man and power. Introduced by the Greeks, tragedies
Read MoreGeneration of ’27: A Poetic Renaissance
Generation of ’27
Overview
The Generation of ’27 refers to a group of Spanish poets active in the 1920s and 30s. Sharing aesthetic principles and often publishing in the same journals—like the Journal of the West and The Literary Gazette—they gathered at the University of Seville to commemorate the tercentenary of Góngora’s death.
Key Characteristics
This group demonstrated a unique blend of tradition and innovation:
- Balance between Intellect and Emotion: Though sometimes labeled intellectual,