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. There was no one as brave as Ignacio in Seville then. He was like a lion. His hair was like the Andalusian community's golden coloured.

The third part is "Dazzling fiests". He was a great bull fighter in any kind of situation. He was gentle like the sheep but when he wore the weapons he became the hardest. So, his personality became most attractive and hugely inspiring. With age and time he was still valourous from his past history. Creative energy was his hallmark. His blood was silver like and blood kept in holy chalice like Christ's or comparison is like the Arthurian legend. Life was very powerful and impactful.

The fourth is named "The Laid Out Body" where he ahead of death. If anybody's forehead or shoulder is made of stone or tree, the mourning of his death would be like that. Death's sudden and sharp approach is like the hit of the bull. His body is covered with sulphur colour. The once positive body is now pale and this is reality. How could death conquer Ignacio is the rumination of the poet. His body was so solid yet death flattened him down. So, the reply of the poet is the creation of the lament in the form of this poem. His face won't be covered by cloth or handkerchief but just rest or fly because even the sea ends or dies.

The last part "Absence of the Soul" is the psychological catharsis. The future generations should be motivated by him. The new bulls, fig trees, ants in the house, kids, won't know the stone shouldered Ignacio anymore in newer autumns. He has been forgotten but the poet won't and immortalise his stature & bravery in the poem so that future readers glorify him.

There is refrain in each stage. "At five in the afternoon" is the refrain.

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