The summary of ‘Spanish Literature The History of Spanish Literature’

The evolution of Spanish literature is discussed through various periods in this video. It begins with works from the Middle Ages, mentioning El Cid, Jorge Manrique, and Fernando de Rojas. The birth of the picaresque novel in the Renaissance and Baroque eras, marked by Cervantes, is explored. The transition to Baroque skepticism post-Spanish Empire decline is noted. Literary movements in the 18th to 19th centuries, including Romanticism, Realism, and Modernism, are highlighted with key figures like Becquer and Galdós. The discussion extends to the 20th century with writers like Federico Garcia Lorca, Camilo José Cela, and the social realism period in the 1950s. The video concludes with a look at experimental literature in the 1960s spearheaded by authors like Juan Goytisolo.

00:00:00

In this segment of the video, it is discussed how the first works of Spanish literature were written during the Middle Ages. Key points include the poem of El Cid, clerical minstrel poetry from Gonzalo de Berceo, Jorge Manrique’s reflective poem on the brevity of life, Fernando de Rojas’s “La Celestina” revolving around love, and the division between natural and supernatural themes in the Renaissance. It also highlights three types of poetry: profane, ascetic, and mystical, with examples from poets such as Garcilaso de la Vega, Fri Luis DeLeon, Saint John of the Cross, and Saint Teresa of Jesus.

00:03:00

In this segment of the video, it discusses the birth of the picaresque novel during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, with key figures such as Lothario, Guzmán de Alfarache, and Don Pablo. Miguel de Cervantes is highlighted as the father of the modern novel, reaching the peak of his career with “Don Quixote” in 1605. The transition from Renaissance optimism to Baroque skepticism is described, along with the decline of the Spanish Empire. Notable Baroque era writers such as Gongura, Elizabeth and Cavero, Lope de Vega, and Calderón De La Barca are also introduced for their contributions to literature, poetry, and theater during this period.

00:06:00

In this segment of the video, the focus is on literary movements in Spain from the 18th to the 19th century. The Bourbon dynasty and Enlightenment era brought a return to classical ideals. Romanticism emerged as a reaction to rationalism, with poets like Becquer and Feder notable for their works. Realism sought objective representation of reality, as seen in Galdós’ national episodes. Modernism emphasized formal beauty, with Juan Ramon Jimenez prominent. The authors of the 98 generation aimed to renew society, addressing issues like the loss of colonies in Cuba and the Philippines in 1898.

00:09:00

In this segment of the video, the discussion revolves around the evolution of Spanish literature and prominent writers from different periods. It covers the shift from radical to more moderate solutions in literary works, the influence of poets like Federico Garcia Lorca, and the emergence of post-war novelists such as Camilo José Cela. The focus then shifts to the social realism period in the 1950s, where concrete social realities and injustices were highlighted in works like “Kurama” by Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio and “Between Lace Curtains” by Carmen Martín Gaite. The 1960s marked experimental literature seeking renewal in writing, with works like “Time of Silence” by Luis Martín-Santos ushering in a new era of writers like Juan Goytisolo and Juan Benet.