The lyrical subgenres are all those classifications in which the lyrical genre can be manifested, in which emotions framed in different literary figures are reflected in the writing that amplify its understanding.
The lyric is a literary genre in which the author transmits feelings with a certain depth and that can be manifested in very different ways. Generally, the lyric is presented in the form of verse, especially in poetry. However, the presence of prose poetry is not negligible.
The historical presence of the lyric transcends the current era. One of the first recorded manifestations of this literary genre is the Rigveda, a text written in Sanskrit and probably the oldest found written in an Indo-European language. This writing is composed of hymns and its writing is located between 1700 and 1100 BC
It was not until Ancient Greece when the lyric was consolidated as a genre and from there began its expansion in Western culture. The lyrical name comes precisely from this historical moment, since the sonnets were recited to the sound of the lyre.
Currently, this genre is subdivided into many types and the understanding of much of modern literature is manifested from it.
Classifications of lyric: subgenres
As in any literary genre, the lyric has several subdivisions that allow its study to be carried out in a more specific way. Some of them are:
Song
It is one of the most popular types of lyric and has been represented throughout history at different times. In song, compound feelings are expressed, usually in verses, intended to be reproduced in music.
The lyrical song reached its peak in the Middle Ages, with innovative works such as El Cancionero by Francesco Petrarca. At present, it is manifested through lyrical singing, especially in choirs, orchestras and operas, with the participation of tenors, sopranos and many other singers of this subgenre. It differs from other types of singers by the length and depth of the voice.
Ode
Part of admiration and veneration. The ode can be understood as a poem that has a profound reflective character, but at the same time, that has as its purpose the veneration or exaltation of a certain quality, object, environment or person.
In Ancient Greece, the ode was made to mythological deities, military victories or beauty, framed in a reflection on their role.
In the Middle Ages it had Fray Luis de León as one of its greatest representatives, who performed more than 23 odes, among which the Ode to Retired Life and To Our Lady stand out.
Later, in 1785, the German poet Friedrich von Schiller published the Ode to Happiness, from which Ludwig van Beethoven would later be inspired to make Symphony No. 9, known as the Hymn to Happiness and which is currently the Anthem of the European Union.
Eclogue
The dialogues reach the lyric through the eclogue. In it, traditionally a dialogue is shown between two or more people, who can constitute a small theatrical piece, generally of a single act.
Its origin is in the field, so in most of its presentations there are usually two shepherds talking about their country life.
The first eclogues date from centuries prior to the current era, but their popularity spread throughout Renaissance Europe, having Garcilaso de la Vega as one of its greatest authors in his Eclogue I.
Elegy
The motor of this lyrical subgenre is lamentation, accompanied by melancholy and bucolic memory. The elegy mourns the loss of something or someone, physical or not. For this reason, it is commonly used together with different genres, among which is the song.
The elegy has been present in practically any historical moment, so melancholy has transcended political and social changes. In Ancient Greece it was defined by the elegiac meter, composed of the alternation of a hexameter with a pentameter.
Hispanic literature is one of the most abundant in elegies. For example, one of the most famous are the Verses for the death of his father by Jorge Manrique, written in 1476.
More recently, the Cry for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías by Federico García Lorca is one of the best samples. So is the song Amor eterno, by the Mexican artist Juan Gabriel, where she narrates the regret she feels for her mother's departure.
Satire
Considered by many to be the funniest lyrical subgenre, satire is featured in scathing poems with burlesque intentions.
Through satire, some person, object or circumstance can be discredited or ironic. It is one of the most versatile subgenres, being able to be written in prose or verse frequently.
Satire is also used as a literary device, auxiliary to many other presentations such as theater. Among the elements he uses the most is irony and sarcasm.
Although, like almost all of them, it has its origin in Ancient Greece, its literary application developed more in the Middle Ages, with authors such as Francisco de Quevedo and Félix Lope de Vega.
Anthem
Some authors place it within the song, because it is usually interpreted in this way. Hymns are a lyrical subgenre that is based largely on the exaltation of a people or a certain group that performs it.
In ancient times, it was a song of a religious nature, which was used in liturgies to exalt some divinity.
Later, his concept evolved to shape national anthems. Today, all the countries of the world have a National Anthem, which is usually together with the shield and the flag, one of its three national symbols.
Madrigal
Considered by some as part of the song. However, it has specific delimitations, with a maximum of fifteen seven-syllable and hendecasyllable verses.
That is, they are extremely short poems that generally have a theme of shepherds or love stories. The Spanish poet of the Generation of '27, Rafael Alberti, wrote Madrigal on the tram ticket, which is one of the greatest examples of this genre.
Haiku
Transcending western culture, lyrical manifestations are also found in the eastern hemisphere. One of them is the traditional Japanese haiku, made up of seventeen blackberries, which are units smaller than the syllable. These do not usually rhyme.
Its content is usually related to the contemplation of nature and amazement at actions related to it. Authors such as Jorge Luis Borges or Mario Benedetti have written haikus adapted to the Spanish language.
References
- Aguilera, A. (1990). Eternal love. In Juan Gabriel at the Palace of Fine Arts.. Mexico: Sony Music.
- Alberti, R. (nd). Madrigal to the tram ticket. Poems of the Soul. Recovered from poemas-del-alma.com.
- De la Vega, G. (2003). Eclogue. Universal Virtual Library. Recovered from library.org.ar.
- Editorial Santillana. (2008). Language and Communication 1. Caracas: Editorial Santillana.
- García, F. (sf). Cry for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías. Seva city. Recovered from ciudadseva.com
- Small Universes (nd). The Haikus of Jorge Luis Borges. Little universes. Recovered from pequeniosuniversos.wordpress.com.
- Petrarca, F. (sf). Song book. Wikisource. Recovered from es.wikisource.org.
- Von Schiller, F. (1785). Ode to joy. The letter travels on the wave. Recovered from artontheradiogorliz.wordpress.com.