MOdernismo
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Modernismo began in Latin America in the late 1800's and spread to Spain at the beginning of the 20th century. Modernismo was greatly influenced by French symbolism and the Parnassian School of Poets, elements of classical Spanish poetry, and the influence of American poets like Edgar Allen Poe and Walt Whiteman. Poems were often set in exotic environments with many symbols of aristocracy and nobility. These symbols emphasized the materialism and vulgarity of everyday life by creating a world of pure beauty. It was greatly sparked by the Cuban revolutionary José Martí. Rubén Dario's book publication of Azul in 1888 was regarded as a sparking point as well. Modernismo influenced many members of the Generation of '98 including Juan Ramón Jiménez.
"Torres de Dios Poetas" by Ruben Dario
Poetry Analysis
In "Torres de DIos Poetas" or "Poets! Towers of Gods" Ruben Dario clearly shows a reverence for the rejection of materialism that many Modernismo poets showed in their works of literature. He talks much about gods and mythology including Siren who was a feminine creature in Greek mythology that lured sailors toward her so that their ships could get wrecked. Dario in this poem is referring to poets as towers of God who are the ones that are given the duty to resist the "Siren", possibly traditional methods of poetry that are unlike Modernismo. |
Literary Devices
Simile- A very descriptive example is "Poets!.... Made to resist the fury of the storms like cliffs beside the ocean. Allusion- The Siren is a reference to a figure in Greek mythology Imagery- The description of the Siren as a cannibal puts to mind of her face like that of a werewolf with overgrown razor-sharp teeth |