Spanish Literature (Peninsular) Quiz

Answer: Jarchas

The "Jarchas", discovered in 1948, are the first example of Spanish literature and lyrical poetry. Since they were written in the times of Muslim Spain, the Spanish language was very underdeveloped, therefore it was written in Mozarabic, a Romance dialect spoken in Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula.

The poems that survive express the longing for an absent lover, and are narrated by a woman.

Answer: Siete Infantes de Lara

This work is anonymous, and narrates the grief of a king whose sons have been murdered by Moors. This poem was one of the few poems that have been recovered of the Spanish "Cantares de Gesta", along with "El Cantar del Mio Cid".

Characteristics of the Mester de Juglaría, written in Castilian during the 12th and 13th centuries, and transmitted orally, include: realism, with no or very few supernatural characteristics; use of assonance rather than rhyme; lines of varying metrical lengths.

Answer: Late middle ages (13th century)

This was a literary movement that was more formal than the early middle ages' "Mester de Juglaría", and its biggest exponent was Gonzalo de Berceo. The movement began to spread literature to the more well-read and cultured members of society. It usually was written by clerics and ecclesiastic authorities.

Its main characteristics are: use of cultured and refined language; historical or religious themes with didactic purposes; more demanding structure than earlier poetic forms, and alexandrine meter.

Answer: "La Celestina "by Fernando de Rojas

This work, written by Fernando de Rojas during the reign of the catholic kings of Spain Fernando and Isabel, is considered by scholars to mark the beginning of the Spanish Renaissance. There are no known written works from him after this.

The story is about the love that Calisto feels for Melibea; however, it is unrequited and Melibea rejects his proposal. Faced with her rejection, he is advised by his servant Sempronio to resort to witchcraft; in the end, it all backfires.

Answer: Garcilaso de la Vega

Garcilaso de la Vega (1539-1616) was born in Toledo, where he spent his younger years receiving extensive education. His most important contribution to Spanish literature was introducing Italian meter, forms and techniques to Spanish poetry. His most famous works are sonnets which constantly employ the theme of love.

Lope de Vega is a writer of the Golden Age (slightly later than the Renaissance), Luis de Góngora y Argote wrote in the Baroque Period, and José de Espronceda was a Romantic poet.

Answer: "Lazarillo de Tormes", published anonymously

This novel made a transcendental impact on Spanish literature. It was a realistic innovation that expressed the way of thinking of many sectors of Spanish society, something that had not been done before. Despite its importance, the author is unknown - the content of the book was considered to be dangerously heretical, so anonymity was prudent.

Answer: Lope de Vega

This new style created by Lope de Vega opposed the original standards imposed by Roman and Greek cultures. Some of its most distinguishable characteristics include: the National Theater's emphasis on the use of three acts instead of the traditional five; the new standard promoting unity between tragedy and comedy; the use of nationalistic themes from traditional Spanish literature.

Tirso de Molina wrote in the Baroque period; Pedro Calderón de la Barca wrote in the Golden Age, and is considered the successor to the innovative Lope de Vega; Fernando de Rojas wrote at the end of the Spanish middle ages (or the start of the Renaissance, depending on which authority you consult).

Answer: "Burlador de Sevilla y convidado de piedra" by Tirso de Molina

Don Juan was a legendary character with questionable morals who would take advantage of women's emotions to satisfy his own appetites. When questioned about his morals he would answer, "Que largo me lo Fiais", meaning that he would repent at the time of his death. However, this backfired in a major way.

Answer: Alonso de Ercilla

"La Araucana" is an epic poem which is divided in three volumes. It narrates the process through which the Mapuche Indians selected their leaders for wars. It also narrates the War of Aruaco (the Spanish conquest of southern Chile starting in the 16th century when the poem was written). The poem has both realistic and fantastic touches to it.

Answer: Francisco de Quevedo

Francisco de Quevedo y Villegas was an influential nobleman and writer. Along with his rival Luis de Góngora, he was one of the most prominent poets of this era.

"Conceptismo" is characterized by simple vocabulary, witty metaphors, and wordplay. It contrasts with "culteranismo", espoused by his rival Luis de Góngora, which is characterized by ostentatious vocabulary, complex syntactical order, and complicated metaphors.