Glossary
Cuarteto
A four-line stanza, commonly used in Spanish poetry, often forming the initial stanzas of a sonnet.
Example:
The first two stanzas of a traditional sonnet are typically cuartetos, setting the scene or introducing a problem.
Disillusionment
A theme reflecting a feeling of disappointment resulting from the discovery that something is not as good as one believed it to be, often related to societal or personal ideals.
Example:
The protagonist's growing disillusionment with the political system is a central theme in many novels of the Boom period.
El carpe diem
A Latin phrase meaning 'seize the day,' a literary theme urging readers to enjoy the present moment and make the most of life before it passes.
Example:
Garcilaso de la Vega's 'Soneto XXIII' is a classic example of el carpe diem, encouraging a young woman to enjoy her youth and beauty.
El memento mori
A Latin phrase meaning 'remember death,' a literary theme that reflects on the certainty of death and the transient nature of human life, often encouraging spiritual reflection.
Example:
The skull on the artist's desk served as a stark memento mori, reminding him of life's brevity and the importance of his work.
El tiempo y el espacio
A thematic concept exploring how the passage of time and the physical or metaphorical distance between places impact characters, events, and the human experience.
Example:
In 'Don Quijote,' the journey across different landscapes and the changing seasons highlight the theme of el tiempo y el espacio as the protagonist's adventures unfold.
Endecasílabo
A line of verse consisting of eleven syllables, a common and versatile meter in Spanish poetry, particularly in sonnets.
Example:
Lope de Vega frequently employed the endecasílabo to achieve a natural and flowing rhythm in his dramatic works.
Enumeración
A rhetorical device that involves listing items, details, or ideas in quick succession to create a sense of abundance, detail, or emphasis.
Example:
The poet's description of the market included 'frutas, verduras, especias, telas,' a clear enumeración of its vibrant offerings.
Francisco de Quevedo
A prominent Spanish writer of the 17th century, known for his complex Baroque style and exploration of themes like human nature, morality, and social critique.
Example:
Students often analyze how Francisco de Quevedo's personal experiences influenced the somber tone of his poetry.
Hipérbaton
A literary device involving the inversion or rearrangement of the usual word order in a sentence for poetic effect, emphasis, or to maintain meter and rhyme.
Example:
Instead of 'The house is white,' a poet might use hipérbaton to write 'Blanca es la casa,' drawing attention to the color.
La introspección
The examination of one's own conscious thoughts and feelings, often a deep dive into the speaker's inner world, identity, and relationship with their surroundings.
Example:
The speaker's solitary walk through the ruins led to a profound moment of introspección about the impermanence of human achievements.
La trayectoria y la transformación
A thematic concept focusing on a character's personal journey, growth, and the significant changes they undergo throughout a narrative due to experiences or the passage of time.
Example:
Lazarillo de Tormes's picaresque journey illustrates la trayectoria y la transformación as he adapts to survive different masters and societal challenges.
Longing
A theme expressing a strong, often wistful, desire for something, especially something lost, absent, or unattainable, such as a homeland or a past state.
Example:
The poem's melancholic tone conveys a deep longing for a simpler time before the war changed everything.
Metáfora
A literary device that makes a direct comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as,' creating vivid imagery and deeper meaning.
Example:
When Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz writes 'el alma es un jardín,' she uses a metáfora to suggest the soul's potential for beauty and growth.
Mortality
A theme exploring the state of being subject to death, often contemplating the fragility of life, the inevitability of decay, and the human response to finitude.
Example:
The recurring imagery of wilting flowers and crumbling statues emphasizes the theme of mortality throughout the collection of poems.
Rima consonante
A type of rhyme where both the vowel and consonant sounds at the end of lines match perfectly from the last stressed vowel onward.
Example:
The lines 'casa' and 'masa' demonstrate rima consonante, creating a strong musicality in the verse.
Spanish Baroque
An artistic and literary movement in 17th-century Spain characterized by complexity, extravagance, intricate wordplay, and a focus on the human condition and the fleeting nature of life.
Example:
The intricate metaphors and dramatic contrasts in 'El burlador de Sevilla' are quintessential examples of the Spanish Baroque style.
Spanish Golden Age
A period of flourishing arts and literature in Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries, marked by significant political and religious conflicts and the rise of the Spanish Empire.
Example:
Many of the most influential works in AP Spanish Literature, including 'Don Quijote,' were produced during the Spanish Golden Age.
Símbolo
An object, person, or idea that represents something else, often an abstract concept, beyond its literal meaning.
Example:
In 'La casa de Bernarda Alba,' the white walls of the house serve as a símbolo of purity, repression, and isolation.
Terceto
A three-line stanza, frequently used in Spanish poetry, especially in the concluding stanzas of a sonnet to offer resolution or a shift in perspective.
Example:
The final terceto in a sonnet often provides a surprising twist or a profound reflection on the themes presented.
The Speaker
The narrative voice or persona in a poem, distinct from the actual author, who expresses emotions, thoughts, and experiences.
Example:
In Garcilaso de la Vega's sonnets, the speaker often laments unrequited love, reflecting universal human emotions.