Literary and Political Landscape of 18th Century Britain
The 18th Century: Political and Literary Context
During the reign of Queen Anne, the last Stuart monarch, a renewal of tension embittered the political atmosphere. England, leading her allies Holland, Austria, and Bavaria, achieved victory in the War of the Spanish Succession against France and Spain. The hero of the war was John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough. This conflict was largely a Whig war, supported by Whig Lords and the Whig merchants of London.
Three Georges occupied the throne during the
Read MoreLiterary Currents Preceding Ausias March: Toulouse and Italian Influences
The Influence of the School of Toulouse on Catalan Poetry
James and Peter March: Precursors to Ausias March
James March and Peter March, uncle and father respectively of Ausias March, wrote from very different viewpoints. James leaned toward the court and cultivated loving subjects of French influence, dictating sirventesos. Peter criticized customs, often focusing on the lives of craftsmen.
Peter March (Pere March)
Father of Ausias March, he wrote a work famous among his contemporaries, The Evil
Read MoreMedieval Spanish Literature: From Epics to Prose
Historical and Cultural Context
The medieval period spanned from the 5th to the 15th century. Society was divided into three classes: the nobility, the clergy, and the common people. The monarchy required the support of the nobles for campaigns against the Arabs, and the territory was divided into various Christian kingdoms.
Culture was primarily confined to monasteries. Books were very scarce and were written by hand, leading to widespread illiteracy among the general population.
The medieval worldview
Read MoreSpanish Baroque: Art, Literature, and Society in 17th Century Spain
The Spanish Baroque: A Cultural Epoch of Crisis and Brilliance
Baroque is a cultural movement that developed in Spain during the 17th century, occurring at a time of crisis and decline for the Spanish Empire.
Socio-Economic Landscape of 17th Century Spain
The aristocracy wasted time in court but lacked lavish celebrations or wealth. Along with the clergy, they maintained their privileged condition of exemption from taxes.
The bourgeoisie and popular classes became impoverished, living through an agrarian
Romanticism in Literature: Spanish Movement, Key Authors, and Artistic Expression
The Essence of Romanticism
Romanticism was a revolutionary movement across all spheres of life. Its precursors include Rousseau and Goethe. It sought to make things more intimate and profound. Key authors were Lord Byron and Victor Hugo, who championed freedom in life.
Romanticism in Spain: A Brief but Complex Era
In Spain, Romanticism arrived late and was relatively short-lived. It is considered a complex cultural movement marked by many contradictions, ranging from rebellion and revolutionary ideas
Read MoreFoundational Linguistic Concepts: Saussure & Coseriu
Ferdinand de Saussure’s Linguistic Theory
The scientific study of Saussure’s language. His structural theory analyzes language and the differences that determine, for example, adjectives and verbs. He established classifications; linguistics is internal. His methodology, which proposes structured language, is one of language signs, each acquiring elements of opposition to others. It emerged from the desire to perform a scientific study of language independently, without regard to historical factors
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