402. DSC 354. Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Mejias by Federico Garcia Lorca of Spain (2)
1. Biography
Federico Garcia Lorca is Spain's one of the greatest poets, prose writers, theater directors, & playwrights of 20th century Spanish Literature. He was born in 1898. He was also musically gifted. He initially studied law at the university of Granada but soon became interested in literature and moved to Madrid to become a writer. studied at a conservative music school in Granada. He was a prominent member of the Generation of 27.
His works, deeply rooted in Spanish folklore and surrealism, explored themes of love, passion, and the human condition. He revolutionised Spanish Literature. His iconic works were Blood Wedding, Yelma, and The House of Barnarda Alba.
His writings had intense lyrics and allusions to the natural world. He was heavily influenced by the symbolist movement in literature and the work of Spanish poets such as Antonio Machado and Juan Ramon Jimenez
He had intimate non physical relation with Salvador Dali, the latter was gay and had complex sexuality. They remained platonic friends.
He was killed in the Spanish Civil War in 1936 by the Nationalists. His progressive ideas made him a target of fascism. He was targetted for also being homosexual. He spoke against the social and political inequalities in his time. His death became the symbol of intellectual repression. His dead body has never been found.
His literary legacy continues to this day.
2. Summary
Ignacio Sanchez Mejias was a Spanish bull fighter and Lorca's close friend.
His friend's death left upon him an impeccable mark and this elegy was written on this occasion. First he disbelived the death and didn't want to accept and see the dead body.
The poem is in four stages. The first one consists where Lorca displays the disbelief in the death. The dead body was getting ready for the last journey. The rituals were shown. The time was 5 in the afternoon. By the time mention the universality of time is brought. The dove and leopard struggle. The bull is the leopard and the dove is Ignacio. The death atmosphere was described. When the bull attacked him, Ignacio was given iodine. He was sweati. The result was zero. Ignacio was hearing the sounds of flute, bones, etc. He developed gangarene.
The second one is "The Spilled Blood" and the refrain was "I will not see it". Death is reminded through blood. The pre death scene is brought.
The third part
The fourth
There is refrain in each stage. "At five in the afternoon" is the refrain.