The Modern Spanish Sonnet

The Spanish Golden Age Sonnet is a collection of one hundred of the best sonnets of the eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries, including those written in Catalan and Galician, with translations into modern English and critical commentary. It provides an introduction to the genre, summaries of historical and literary backgrounds, and a discussion of the challenges faced by translators. The translations bring these sonnets to new life in the modern English language and can be read as interesting and lively poems in their own right.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2023
Publisher: University of Wales Press

The rich tradition of the Spanish sonnet, which flourished during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and was the subject of Rutherford's The Spanish Golden Age Sonnet (2016), has continued to evolve and expand over the centuries that have followed. This book presents one hundred of the finest sonnets from the eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries, including those written in the Catalan and Galician languages, along with their translations into modern English sonnets and a critical commentary on each. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the genre, the book begins with a general introduction, followed by summaries of the historical and literary backgrounds and a discussion of the challenges faced by the translator of sonnets. Each poet's life and works are summarized, and a select bibliography of further reading concludes the volume. The translations breathe new life into these sonnets, making them accessible and enjoyable to readers of modern English while also serving as valuable guides to the originals.

The Spanish sonnet, a literary form that originated in Spain during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, holds a distinguished place in the world of poetry. Its origins can be traced back to the works of Spanish poets such as Luis de Góngora and Francisco de Quevedo, who were known for their mastery of the genre. Over the centuries, the Spanish sonnet evolved and diversified, incorporating influences from other literary traditions and languages. In the eighteenth century, the Spanish sonnet reached its peak of popularity, with poets like José de Espronseda and Antonio Machado producing some of the most celebrated works in the genre. The nineteenth century saw the rise of Romanticism in Spain, which led to a renewed interest in the Spanish sonnet. Poets like Federico García Lorca and Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer embraced the Romantic ideals and used them to create their own unique interpretations of the form. The twentieth century saw the Spanish sonnet continue to evolve and adapt to new literary trends. Poets like Juan Ramón Jiménez and Antonio Muñoz Molina experimented with different forms and styles, while still maintaining the essence of the Spanish sonnet. In recent years, the Spanish sonnet has experienced a resurgence of interest, with contemporary poets continuing to explore and innovate in the genre. One of the most notable contributions to the Spanish sonnet in recent years has been the work of Rutherford, a scholar and poet who has dedicated his career to studying and promoting the Spanish sonnet. In his book, The Spanish Golden Age Sonnet (2016), Rutherford presents a comprehensive collection of one hundred of the finest Spanish sonnets from the eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries. The book includes not only the original Spanish sonnets but also their translations into modern English, making them accessible to a wider audience. Rutherford's critical commentary on each sonnet provides valuable insights into the historical, literary, and cultural contexts in which the sonnets were written. He also discusses the challenges faced by the translator of sonnets, particularly when dealing with the differences in syntax, meter, and rhyme schemes between Spanish and English. The translations themselves are masterful, capturing the essence of the original Spanish sonnets while also maintaining their beauty and rhythm in the modern English language. The Spanish sonnet has a rich and complex history, and this book serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in exploring this literary form. It provides a comprehensive overview of the genre's development, highlights some of its most celebrated poets, and offers a critical perspective on the translations. Whether you are a seasoned poet or a newcomer to the world of poetry, The Spanish Golden Age Sonnet is a must-read for anyone who wants to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the Spanish sonnet.

Weight: 546g
Dimension: 145 x 223 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781837720699