#AP Spanish Literature: Unit 2 Study Guide 🚀

Welcome! This guide is designed to help you ace your AP Spanish Literature exam, focusing on the crucial themes and texts of the 15th and 16th centuries. Let's dive in!

#Unit 2: The Renaissance and the Spanish Golden Age 🌟

This unit covers the period from the late 15th century to the early 17th century, a time of massive cultural and political change in Spain. It's a high_value_topic on the AP exam, so let's make sure you're ready!

#🔗 Historical Context

#🎨 El Renacimiento (The Renaissance)

The Renaissance was a transformative period in Europe, marked by a renewed interest in classical art, literature, and philosophy. It emphasized humanism, placing importance on human potential and achievement rather than solely on divine matters. 💡

• Humanism: A key philosophy that shifted focus from divine intervention to human will and potential.
• Greco-Roman Revival: Rediscovery of Greek and Roman texts and art, influencing new artistic techniques.
• Cultural Shift: A move from solely religious themes to more secular and humanistic ones.

Pre-Renaissance Art: Virgen de los ángeles, Pere Serra (15th century)

Renaissance Art: Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

#The Spanish Renaissance

• Influence: Heavily influenced by classical literature and humanistic ideals.
• Themes: Shift towards secular and humanistic themes like love, politics, and individual experience.
• Legacy: These themes continue to resonate in modern Spanish literature.

#👑 Spain's Golden Age (Siglo de Oro)

The Golden Age was a period of immense artistic and literary output in Spain, fueled by the unification of the country and its colonial expansion. Think of it as a cultural explosion! 💥

• Unification: The Spanish Reconquista under the Catholic Monarchs marked the beginning of this era.
• Colonial Expansion: Overseas exploration brought great wealth, stimulating artistic creation.
• Habsburg Empire: Spain became the most powerful empire in Europe, influencing trade and culture.

The Spanish Empire (red) during the Golden Age

• Artistic Patronage: The royal court invested heavily in art, architecture, and literature.
• Literary Developments: The rise of the sonnet and the novel, exploring themes of love, death, religion, and politic...