A History of Spanish Literature

A History of Spanish Literature

Spanish literature, in its broadest sense, might include writings in every tongue existing within the Spanish dominions; it might, at all events, include the four chief languages of Spain. Asturian and Galician both possess literatures which in their recent developments are artificial. Basque, the spoiled child of philologers, has not added greatly to the sum of the world's delight; and even if it had, I should be incapable of undertaking a task which would belong of right to experts like Mr. Wentworth Webster, M. Jules Vinson, and Professor Schuchardt. Catalan is so singularly rich and varied that it might well deserve separate treatment: its inclusion here would be as unjustifiable as the inclusion of Provenal in a work dealing with French literature. For the purposes of this book, minor varieties are neglected, and Spanish literature is taken as referring solely to Castilianthe speech of Juan Ruiz, Cervantes, Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina, Quevedo, and Caldern. At the close of the last century, Nicolas Masson de Morvilliers raised a hubbub by asking two questions in the Encyclopdie Mthodique:"Mais que doit-on l'Espagne? Et depuis deux sicles, depuis quatre, depuis six, qu'a-t elle fait pour l'Europe?" I have attempted an[vi] answer in this volume. The introductory chapter has been written to remind readers that the great figures of the Silver AgeSeneca, Lucan, Martial, Quintilianwere Spaniards as well as Romans. It further aims at tracing the stream of literature from its Roman fount to the channels of the Gothic period; at defining the limits of Arabic and Hebrew influence on Spanish letters; at refuting the theory which assumes the existence of immemorial romances, and at explaining the interaction between Spanish on the one side and Provenal and French on the other. It has been thought that this treatment saves much digression. Spanish literature, like our own, takes its root in French and in Italian soil; in the anonymous epics, in the fableaux, as in Dante, Petrarch, and the Cinque Cento poets. Excessive patriotism leads men of all lands to magnify their literary history; yet it may be claimed for Spain, as for England, that she has used her models without compromising her originality, absorbing here, annexing there, and finally dominating her first masters. But Spain's victorious course, splendid as it was in letters, arts, and arms, was comparatively brief. The heroic age of her literature extends over some hundred and fifty years, from the accession of Carlos Quinto to the death of Felipe IV. This period has been treated, as it deserves, at greater length than any other. The need of compression, confronting me at every page, has compelled the omission of many writers. I can only plead that I have used my discretion impartially, and I trust that no really representative figure will be found missing. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 55771
Author: Fitzmaurice-Kelly, James
Release Date: Oct 18, 2017
Format: eBook
Language: English