Àngel Guimerà: Life, Works, and Catalan Theater
Àngel Guimerà: A Biography
Early Life and Influences
Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, in 1845, Àngel Guimerà’s mother was of humble Canarian origin, while his father was a Catalan merchant. At the age of eight, the family relocated to El Vendrell, Catalonia. This move required young Guimerà to learn Catalan and adapt to a new culture. He began writing Spanish poetry at fourteen, expressing a longing for his birthplace. Eventually, he embraced Catalan language and culture, becoming
Spanish Romanticism: An Overview
Unit 2: The Romantic Movement
Introduction
Romanticism, a significant cultural, political, and vital movement, swept across Europe and America during the first half of the 19th century. Originating in Germany at the end of the 18th century, it reached its peak in Spain around the 1830s and 1840s.
The Essence of Romanticism
Romanticism arose from a deep dissatisfaction with bourgeois values and the perceived limitations of Enlightenment rationalism. It emphasized the importance of feelings and emotions,
Read More17th-Century Spanish Baroque: Politics, Society, Culture, and Poetry
1. 17th-Century Spain: An Overview
1.1 Political, Social, and Economic Aspects
Spain began the 17th century in decline, having lost significant territories and its European hegemony. Several factors contributed to this situation:
- Shift of Power: This period saw authoritarianism and the rise of validos (royal advisors with significant influence).
- Economic Crisis: Wars during Philip II’s reign and subsequent conflicts caused financial problems and state bankruptcy.
- Depopulation: Plague epidemics led to
Spanish Romanticism: A Deep Dive into 19th-Century Literature
Spanish Romanticism (19th Century)
A) Socio-Historical Context
The Romantic movement emerged in the first half of the 19th century, replacing the Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason with feeling, imagination, and passion. Originating in late 18th-century Germany and England (Pre-Romanticism), it spread to France, Italy, and Spain during the 19th century. Goethe’s The Adventures of Young Werther (1774) played a key role in disseminating Pre-Romantic ideals. In Spain, Romanticism coincided with the death
Read More17th Century Spanish Literature: Baroque and Poetry
1. The 17th Century
In Spain and France, the absolute monarchy consolidated, concentrating power in the hands of the king and the court. Meanwhile, in Holland and England, the bourgeoisie grew in importance, and legislatures began to control real power. Peasant revolts and religious wars were common. The 17th century was a century of crisis: economic instability, agricultural decline, population decline, and foreign wars. The crisis affected the social structure: the bourgeoisie lost influence, while
Read More18th & 19th Century European Theatre: Goldoni, Vaudeville & Gogol
18th & 19th Century European Theatre
Carlo Goldoni (1707-1793)
From Law to Theatre: Carlo Goldoni abandoned his law profession to dedicate himself fully to the theatre. In 1748, he was hired in Venice to write for a theatre company. He later moved to Paris, where he worked as a tutor to princes while continuing to write for Italian and French actors.
Goldoni’s Poetics: Goldoni believed in creating a theatre of marvel and laughter, highlighting the ridiculous aspects of society without directly
Read More