Cultural Myths and Spanish Literature
You are here
Spanish Literature has generated a significant number of literary myths in Western literature; these myths have been found in other literary works and have been noted in many imitations. El Quijote is a prime example, as well as others like Don Juan, whose image is seen in Molière, Goldoni, Mozart, Lord Byron, Pushkin. This course will explore these and other myths in Spanish literature and their importance in selected works of Western literature.
Attendance is mandatory for all IES Abroad classes, including course-related excursions. Any exams, tests, presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical or family emergencies. If a student misses more than two classes in any course half a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade for every additional absence. Seven absences in any course will result in a failing grade.
By the end of the course students will be able to:
- Know the main myths of Spanish Literature
- Know the influence of these myths in the configuration of Spanish thought
- Know the influence of these myths in other literary traditions
- Use specific tools for the textual and dramatical analyses
- Analyze from a critical point of view a performance related to the material covered in class.
Introductory lectures on major themes and relevant background information; discussion of the works and commentaries by students, and attendance to performances related to the material covered in class. Active class participation is required.
Students will attend a relevant show to be determined by the instructor.
- Written commentaries and analyses of the works throughout the course: 30%
- Discussion of the assigned plays: 10%
- Midterm: 25%
- Final exam: 35%
Week |
Content |
Required Readings |
Week 1 |
What is a myth? Emergence of myths as national identity |
None |
Week 2 |
Relevant information about Celestina (character, origin...) Discussion about Celestina as an anti-heroic woman |
First half of La Celestina reading sections |
Week 3 | Discussion other Celestina's characters
The "Pícaro" as symbol of Spanish Empire decadence |
Second half of La Celestina reading sections |
Week 4 |
Main features of picaresque novel Showing of Lázaro de Tormes, film by Fernando Fernán-Gómez |
None |
Week 5 | Analyse of Lazarillo de Tormes
Don Quijote: genesis of an inmortal character |
Selection of Lazarillo de Tormes First half of the Don Quijote reading sections. |
Week 6 | Don Quijote: madness and humanistic sanity | Second half of the Don Quijote reading sections |
Week 7 | International significance of Don Quijote
Showing of Don Quijote, film by Orson Welles |
None |
Week 8 | El burlador de Sevilla or the birth of a seducer
Don Juan Tenorio and the women |
First & Second act of El burlador de Sevilla |
Week 9 | Other Donjuanes
showing of Entrevista con el vampiro: three models of donjuanism |
Third act of El burlador de Sevilla |
Week 10 | Discussion about El burlador de Sevilla and its relations with Entrevista con el vampiro
Carmen or Spanish woman from French perspective |
None |
Week 11 | Other Spanish myths
Showing of Carmen, film by Vicente Aranda |
None |
Session 12 | Survival of myths today
Review |
None |
- Fernando de Rojas, La Celestina (selections)
- Anónimo, Lazarillo de Tormes (selections)
- Miguel de Cervantes, El Quijote (selections)
- Tirso de Molina, El burlador de Sevilla
- José Zorrilla, Don Juan Tenorio
- Maeztu, Ramiro de, Don Quijote, Don Juan y La Celestina
- Maravall, José Antonio, El mundo social de La Celestina
- Márquez Villanueva, Francisco, Orígenes de la leyenda de El burlador de Sevilla
- Parker, Alexander, Los pícaros en la literatura: la novela picaresca en España y Europa
- Peral Vega, Emilio, “Don Juan en el teatro español del exilio"
- Riquer, Martín de, Aproximación al Quijote