On Rhythm and Its Possible Incidence in Golden Age Poetry: Study of Two Romances by Luis de Góngora

Abstract

Compared to other areas of Spanish Poetry, rhythm has received less scholarly attention. Conversely, this study tries to ascertain the influence of this aspect in the production of poems in the context of two romances by Luis de Góngora. This article reviews the different approaches regarding the rhythm in Spanish Poetry, for which is key the study of the antirrythmycal stresses, i.e., those stresses that break the usual two and three-syllable clauses. The two romances correspond to the same time period of Góngora’s production, while they differ in subject-matter and style (burlesco and morisco). The contrasts found in the use of rhythm suggest that this study could be extended to other compositions and to further research.