Siglo de Oro and Beyond: Cultural and Historical Overview

These flashcards cover key terms, figures, and concepts related to the Siglo de Oro and the evolving cultural landscape of Spain.

Siglo de Oro

A period in Spanish history from the late 15th century to the 17th century marked by a flourishing of arts and literature.

Renacimiento

The Renaissance movement in Spain, emphasizing humanism, balance, and classical ideals.

Barroco

The Baroque period characterized by complexity, exaggeration, and themes of disillusionment.

Garcilaso de la Vega

A prominent poet of the Siglo de Oro known as the 'Prince of Poets' for introducing Italian verse forms into Spanish poetry.

Lope de Vega

Revolutionary playwright of the Baroque era, known for creating the comedia nueva, making theater popular among the masses.

Cervantes

Author of 'Don Quijote de La Mancha', considered the first modern novel, exploring philosophical themes.

La Celestina

A character representing the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, she is a greedy matchmaker in the narrative.

Lazarillo de Tormes

The original 'pícaro' or rogue, whose story initiated the Picaresque Novel genre, depicting survival through wits.

Don Quijote

A character embodying idealism and the human struggle for meaning amidst a mundane existence.

Don Juan

A legendary figure symbolizing the archetype of the seducer and libertine, challenging social norms.

El Greco

A painter known for elongated figures and dramatic lighting, exemplified in 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz'.

Velázquez

A master Baroque painter, renowned for his perspective techniques and atmospheric realism in 'Las Meninas'.

Monasterio de El Escorial

A monumental site commissioned by Felipe II, symbolizing the power of the Spanish monarchy.

Centralización

The concentration of government authority in Madrid under Felipe V, abolishing local laws.

Despotismo ilustrado

An enlightened despotism characterized by the motto 'Todo por el pueblo, pero sin el pueblo' aimed at modernizing society without granting political power.

La Pepa

The liberal constitution of 1812 that established a constitutional monarchy in Spain.

Guerra Civil

The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) between Republicans and Nationalists leading to Franco's dictatorship.

Franquismo

The regime established by dictator Francisco Franco, characterized by strict centralization and National Catholicism.

Comunidades Autónomas

Autonomous Communities in Spain established to address regional issues, providing self-governance.

Terrorismo Vasco (ETA)

A militant group that sought Basque independence through violence, impacting national dynamics.

Cubismo

An art movement pioneered by Picasso, breaking objects into geometric shapes, exemplified in his work 'Guernica'.

Surrealismo

An art movement represented by Dalí, exploring dream-like scenarios and the nature of time in pieces like 'La Persistencia de la Memoria'.

Euskera

The Basque language, a unique pre-Indo-European language, pivotal to Basque cultural identity.