17th-Century English Poets: Donne, Marvell, and Milton
John Donne (1572-1631)
Born in London to a Catholic family, John Donne studied at Oxford and Cambridge but didn’t receive a degree due to his faith. He worked for Sir Thomas Egerton for five years, but his true passion was poetry. Inspired by Ovid, Donne’s emotionally intense verses departed from the Petrarchan style, focusing on earthly love. His secret marriage to Anne More in 1601 resulted in imprisonment and job loss. The following decade brought poverty, but also a prolific period of writing
Read MoreSpanish Romantic Prose and Drama: Key Authors & Works
Spanish Romantic Prose and Drama (1835-1850)
The period between 1835 and 1850 was a short but intense period for narrative in Spain, giving rise to new genres.
The Historical Novel
Significant authors in this genre include Ramón López Soler (Castilla) and Francisco Navarro Villoslada (Doña Blanca of Castile).
Writing Habits of the Time
The development of journalism and a romantic interest in all things typical of a country heavily influenced writing habits.
The Legend
The legend was a widely cultivated
Read MoreAntonio Machado: Life, Work, and Poetic Evolution
Antonio Machado: A Literary Journey
Antonio Machado is considered one of the greatest poets of the Generation of ’98 and one of the most significant Spanish poets of all time. While his early poems align with the aesthetics of Modernism, they soon adopt an intimate, Becquerian tone, rich in simple yet powerful symbols. His affiliation with the Generation of ’98 is evident in his appreciation for landscape, his contemplation of time’s passage, his concern for Spain’s situation and future, his skepticism,
Read MoreThe Brocense: A Life and Legacy of Renaissance Scholar
The Brocense: Born in 1523 in Brozas (Cáceres). In Évora and Lisbon, he later studied Latin and humanities, emphasizing very early for their intelligence. In Salamanca, he studied Arts and Theology, which was not completed to pursue his passion: the humanities. He became professor of Rhetoric and Greek Grammar, but never, his specialty. Like many of his contemporaries, he had trouble with the Inquisition. He was indicted twice by the Inquisition; the first time, he was only reprimanded and acquitted.
Read MoreSpanish Golden Age: History, Culture, and Renaissance
The Golden Age of Spain
Historical Events
Three pivotal events marked the beginning of the Golden Age under the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella:
- The end of the Reconquista
- The expulsion of the Jews
- The discovery of America
The Impact of Spanish Arrival in America
The arrival of the Spaniards in America had profound effects:
Economic Impact
- Ports became important trade hubs.
- Food sources became more varied.
- Precious metals were used to pay debts incurred from European wars.
Political Impact
- Spain gained control
Epic Tradition in Restoration and 18th-Century Literature
The Epic Tradition in Restoration and 18th-Century Literature
The aim of this essay is to identify and relate the epic elements found in 18th-century literary production and the Restoration period.
During the Restoration, the literary ideal was characterized by an effort to bring a new refinement to English literature according to sound critical principles of what is fitting and right, with a strong sense of decorum. There was a huge influence from the classics. The ideal in literature was that of
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