Legends & Romances of Spain - The Original Classic Edition

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Reference, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Legends & Romances of Spain - The Original Classic Edition by Spence Lewis, Emereo Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Spence Lewis ISBN: 9781486412884
Publisher: Emereo Publishing Publication: October 24, 2012
Imprint: Emereo Publishing Language: English
Author: Spence Lewis
ISBN: 9781486412884
Publisher: Emereo Publishing
Publication: October 24, 2012
Imprint: Emereo Publishing
Language: English
Since the days of Southey the romantic literature of Spain has not received from English writers and critics the amount of study and attention it undoubtedly deserves. In no European country did the seeds of Romance take root so readily or blossom so speedily and luxuriantly as in Spain, which perhaps left the imprint of its national character more deeply upon the literature of chivalry than did France or England. When we think of chivalry, do we not think first of Spain, of her age-long struggle against the pagan invaders of Europe, her sensitiveness to all that concerned personal and national honour, of the names of the Cid Campeador, Gayferos, and Gonzalvo de Cordova, gigantic shadows in harness, a pantheon of heroes, which the martial legends of few lands can equal and none surpass. The epic of our British Arthur, the French chansons de gestes, are indebted almost as much to folklore as to the imagination of the singers who first gave them literary shape. But in the romances of Spain we find that folklore plays an inconsiderable part, and that her chivalric fictions are either the offspring of historic happenings or of that brilliant and glowing imagination which illumines the whole expanse of Peninsular literature.

I have given more space to the proofs of connexion between the French chansons de gestes and the Spanish cantares de gesta than most of my predecessors who have written of Castilian romantic story. Indeed, with the exception of Mr Fitzmaurice Kelly, whose admirable work in the field of Spanish letters forms so happy an exception to our national neglect of a great literature, I am aware of no English writer who has concerned himself with this subject. My own opinion regarding the almost total lack of Moorish influence upon the Spanish romanceros is in consonance with that of critics much better qualified to pass judgment upon such a question. But for my classification of the ballad I am indebted to no one, and this a long devotion to the study of ballad literature perhaps entitles me to make. I can claim, too, that my translations are not mere paraphrases, but provide renderings of tolerable accuracy.

I have made an earnest endeavour to provide English readers with a conspectus of Spanish romantic literature as expressed in its cantares de gesta, its chivalric novels, its romanceros or ballads, and some of its lighter aspects. The reader will find full accounts and summaries of all the more important works under each of these heads, many of which have never before been described in English.

If the perusal of this book leads to the more general study of the noble and useful Castilian tongue on the part of but a handful of those who read it, its making will have been justified. The real brilliance and beauty of these tales lie behind the curtains of a language unknown to most British people, and can only be liberated by the spell of study. This book contains merely the poor shadows and reflected wonders of screened and hidden marvels.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Since the days of Southey the romantic literature of Spain has not received from English writers and critics the amount of study and attention it undoubtedly deserves. In no European country did the seeds of Romance take root so readily or blossom so speedily and luxuriantly as in Spain, which perhaps left the imprint of its national character more deeply upon the literature of chivalry than did France or England. When we think of chivalry, do we not think first of Spain, of her age-long struggle against the pagan invaders of Europe, her sensitiveness to all that concerned personal and national honour, of the names of the Cid Campeador, Gayferos, and Gonzalvo de Cordova, gigantic shadows in harness, a pantheon of heroes, which the martial legends of few lands can equal and none surpass. The epic of our British Arthur, the French chansons de gestes, are indebted almost as much to folklore as to the imagination of the singers who first gave them literary shape. But in the romances of Spain we find that folklore plays an inconsiderable part, and that her chivalric fictions are either the offspring of historic happenings or of that brilliant and glowing imagination which illumines the whole expanse of Peninsular literature.

I have given more space to the proofs of connexion between the French chansons de gestes and the Spanish cantares de gesta than most of my predecessors who have written of Castilian romantic story. Indeed, with the exception of Mr Fitzmaurice Kelly, whose admirable work in the field of Spanish letters forms so happy an exception to our national neglect of a great literature, I am aware of no English writer who has concerned himself with this subject. My own opinion regarding the almost total lack of Moorish influence upon the Spanish romanceros is in consonance with that of critics much better qualified to pass judgment upon such a question. But for my classification of the ballad I am indebted to no one, and this a long devotion to the study of ballad literature perhaps entitles me to make. I can claim, too, that my translations are not mere paraphrases, but provide renderings of tolerable accuracy.

I have made an earnest endeavour to provide English readers with a conspectus of Spanish romantic literature as expressed in its cantares de gesta, its chivalric novels, its romanceros or ballads, and some of its lighter aspects. The reader will find full accounts and summaries of all the more important works under each of these heads, many of which have never before been described in English.

If the perusal of this book leads to the more general study of the noble and useful Castilian tongue on the part of but a handful of those who read it, its making will have been justified. The real brilliance and beauty of these tales lie behind the curtains of a language unknown to most British people, and can only be liberated by the spell of study. This book contains merely the poor shadows and reflected wonders of screened and hidden marvels.

More books from Emereo Publishing

Cover of the book Tom Moore - An Unhistorical Romance, Founded on Certain Happenings in the Life of Ireland's Greatest Poet - The Original Classic Edition by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book Sweet Potato Greats: Delicious Sweet Potato Recipes, The Top 100 Sweet Potato Recipes by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book Punch Among the Planets - The Original Classic Edition by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book Lead Management - Simple Steps to Win, Insights and Opportunities for Maxing Out Success by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book SharePoint - Simple Steps to Win, Insights and Opportunities for Maxing Out Success by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book The Norman Vincent Peale Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About Norman Vincent Peale by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book The Eagles 34 Success Facts - Everything you need to know about The Eagles by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book Messaging 137 Success Secrets - 137 Most Asked Questions On Messaging - What You Need To Know by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book The Dan Aykroyd Handbook - Everything You Need To Know About Dan Aykroyd by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book How to Land a Top-Paying Automotive glass installers and repairers Job: Your Complete Guide to Opportunities, Resumes and Cover Letters, Interviews, Salaries, Promotions, What to Expect From Recruiters and More by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book Specific Greatest Quotes - Quick, Short, Medium Or Long Quotes. Find The Perfect Specific Quotations For All Occasions - Spicing Up Letters, Speeches, And Everyday Conversations. by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book Jessica Lange 151 Success Facts - Everything you need to know about Jessica Lange by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book How to Land a Top-Paying Production cost estimators Job: Your Complete Guide to Opportunities, Resumes and Cover Letters, Interviews, Salaries, Promotions, What to Expect From Recruiters and More by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book Supply Chain Management - Simple Steps to Win, Insights and Opportunities for Maxing Out Success by Spence Lewis
Cover of the book BMC Certified Administrator- BMC Performance Manager Secrets To Acing The Exam and Successful Finding And Landing Your Next BMC Certified Administrator- BMC Performance Manager Certified Job by Spence Lewis
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy