Notes
Spanish-language literature includes both early classics and modern poets. Works published before 1929 are in the public domain.
- Miguel de Cervantes (Spain, 1547-1616): wrote Don Quijote de la Mancha (1605 and 1615). It begins: "En un lugar de la Mancha, de cuyo nombre no quiero acordarme..."
- Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (Spain, 1836-1870): Romantic poet; author of the Rimas and Leyendas. In Rima XXI he answers the question "What is poetry?" with the words "Poesía... eres tú."
- José Martí (Cuba, 1853-1895): poet, essayist and leader of Cuba's independence movement. His Versos sencillos (1891) begin: "Yo soy un hombre sincero / de donde crece la palma."
- Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (New Spain, 17th century): nun, poet and scholar.
- Rubén Darío (Nicaragua, 1867-1916): founder of modernismo.
Practice
¿Quién escribió Don Quijote de la Mancha?
Cervantes wrote Don Quijote, published in 1605 and 1615.
¿De qué país era José Martí?
Martí was a Cuban poet and independence leader.
¿Qué respuesta da Bécquer a la pregunta "¿Qué es poesía?" en su Rima XXI?
The famous ending of Rima XXI: "Poesía... eres tú."
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