'Adivinanza De La Guitarra' by Federico García Lorca


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En la redondaencrucijada,
seis doncellas
bailan.
Tres de carne
y tres de plata.
Los sueños de ayer las buscan
pero las tiene abrazadas
un Polifemo de oro.
¡La guitarra!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Federico García Lorca's "Adivinanza De La Guitarra"

Federico García Lorca is one of the most famous poets of the 20th century. His works, especially his poems, are renowned for their vivid imagery, emotional depth, and musicality. One of his most famous poems is "Adivinanza De La Guitarra," which has been translated into English as "Riddle of the Guitar." In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various themes and literary devices used by Lorca in this poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.

Background

Before diving into the poem itself, it is important to understand some of the cultural and historical context behind it. Lorca was born in Andalusia, a region of southern Spain, in 1898. Andalusia has a rich tradition of flamenco music and dance, which Lorca was deeply influenced by. Flamenco is known for its passionate, intense style and its use of the guitar as its primary musical instrument. Lorca was also familiar with the poetry of the Spanish Golden Age, which often included riddles and enigmas as literary devices.

"Adivinanza De La Guitarra" was written in 1926, during a period of artistic and literary flourishing in Spain known as the Generation of '27. This group of poets and intellectuals sought to revitalize Spanish culture and language through their works. Lorca was a leading figure of this movement, and his poetry often explored themes of love, death, and identity, as well as the cultural traditions of Spain.

Analysis

The poem begins with a riddle: "¿Qué cosa será?" ("What could it be?") This immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a series of metaphors and comparisons that describe the guitar in various ways. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which compares the guitar to a different object or idea.

Stanza 1: "La Guitarra"

The first stanza describes the guitar as "una caja de resonancia" ("a resonant box"). This metaphor emphasizes the importance of sound in the guitar's identity. The guitar is not just a physical object, but a musical instrument that produces a distinct and powerful sound. The metaphor also suggests that the guitar has a kind of inner life or vitality, as if it is capable of producing its own music without any external input.

The stanza goes on to describe the guitar's shape and materials, using words like "madera" ("wood") and "cintura" ("waist") to create an image of a curving, sensual object. This description reinforces the idea that the guitar is not just a machine, but a living thing with its own personality and character.

Stanza 2: "La Guitarra"

The second stanza compares the guitar to a woman, using the metaphor of a "mujer" ("woman") who is "morena" ("dark-skinned"). This comparison reinforces the idea of the guitar as a sensual and passionate object, while also suggesting that it has a feminine energy or spirit. The description of the guitar as "morena" also has cultural significance, as this is a common term used to describe the dark-skinned women of Andalusia.

The stanza goes on to describe the guitar's strings, using words like "cuerdas" ("strings"), "lamentos" ("laments"), and "suspiros" ("sighs") to create a sense of melancholy and longing. This description emphasizes the emotional power of the guitar's music, and the way it can evoke deep feelings of sadness or nostalgia.

Stanza 3: "La Guitarra"

The third stanza compares the guitar to a bird, using the metaphor of a "pájaro" ("bird") with "alas de cristal" ("crystal wings"). This comparison emphasizes the delicate and fragile nature of the guitar, as well as its ability to soar and express itself in a way that is almost ethereal. The metaphor of the crystal wings also suggests that the guitar's music is otherworldly or transcendent, as if it can transport the listener to a different realm or dimension.

The stanza goes on to describe the guitar's sound as "copla de agua clara" ("song of clear water"). This description emphasizes the purity and clarity of the guitar's music, as well as its ability to refresh and renew the listener's spirit.

Stanza 4: "La Guitarra"

The final stanza compares the guitar to a "cascabel" ("bell") that hangs from a "caballo" ("horse"). This metaphor emphasizes the way the guitar is an integral part of Andalusian culture and tradition, as well as its role in supporting and accompanying other forms of art and expression. The metaphor of the horse also suggests the idea of movement and travel, as if the guitar is always on the move and always seeking new forms of inspiration or connection.

The stanza goes on to describe the guitar's music as "sonidos errantes" ("wandering sounds"), which reinforces the idea of the guitar as a nomadic and restless object. The final line of the poem, "¿Qué cosa será?" ("What could it be?"), brings the poem full circle and emphasizes the mystery and enigma at the heart of the guitar's identity.

Interpretation

So what does this poem mean, exactly? Like many of Lorca's works, "Adivinanza De La Guitarra" is open to multiple interpretations. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a celebration of Andalusian culture and tradition, and the guitar as a symbol of that culture. The poem emphasizes the guitar's sensual, emotional, and cultural significance, and suggests that it is a vital part of Spanish life and identity.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the nature of art and creativity. The guitar is presented as a mysterious and enigmatic object, capable of producing its own music and inspiring deep feelings of emotion and longing. The various metaphors used to describe the guitar suggest that it is an object of great power and beauty, and that it has the ability to transport the listener to a different realm or dimension.

Finally, the poem can be seen as a reflection on the human experience of love and loss. The guitar's music is described as melancholy and nostalgic, evoking feelings of sadness and longing. The comparison to a woman suggests that the guitar is a symbol of feminine energy and passion, while the metaphor of the bird with crystal wings suggests that the guitar's music is both fragile and transcendent.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Federico García Lorca's "Adivinanza De La Guitarra" is a complex and multi-layered poem that uses vivid imagery and metaphors to explore the cultural, emotional, and spiritual significance of the guitar. Through its comparisons to women, birds, and other objects, the poem suggests that the guitar is more than just a musical instrument, but a living thing with its own personality and character. The poem also emphasizes the emotional power of the guitar's music, and its ability to evoke deep feelings of sadness, longing, and nostalgia. Ultimately, "Adivinanza De La Guitarra" is a celebration of the beauty and mystery of art, and the ways in which it can transport us to different realms of experience and understanding.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Adivinanza De La Guitarra: A Masterpiece of Federico García Lorca

Federico García Lorca, the renowned Spanish poet, playwright, and theatre director, is known for his unique style of writing that blends traditional Spanish folklore with modernist techniques. His works are characterized by their vivid imagery, musicality, and deep emotional resonance. One of his most celebrated poems is Adivinanza De La Guitarra, which is a riddle about the guitar. In this article, we will analyze and explain this masterpiece of Lorca's poetry.

The poem begins with a riddle: "¿Qué cosa será? / La guitarra." (What could it be? / The guitar.) This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a series of metaphors and comparisons that describe the guitar in all its beauty and complexity. Lorca uses a range of literary devices, such as similes, metaphors, and personification, to create a vivid and evocative portrait of the guitar.

The first stanza compares the guitar to a woman, describing its curves and contours as "cintura de avispa" (wasp waist) and "senos de duro metal" (breasts of hard metal). This metaphorical comparison between the guitar and a woman is a common theme in Spanish literature, where the guitar is often seen as a symbol of femininity and sensuality. Lorca's use of this metaphor adds a layer of eroticism to the poem, as if the guitar is a seductive woman that can enchant and captivate its audience.

The second stanza continues this theme of sensuality, describing the guitar as a "voz de cristal" (voice of crystal) that can "llorar como una mujer" (cry like a woman). This personification of the guitar as a woman with a voice that can express deep emotions is a powerful image that highlights the emotional power of music. Lorca's use of the word "cristal" (crystal) also adds a sense of fragility and delicacy to the image, as if the guitar's voice is something precious and vulnerable.

The third stanza shifts the focus from the guitar's physical attributes to its cultural significance. Lorca describes the guitar as a "caja de resonancia" (resonance box) that carries the "alma de los pueblos" (soul of the people). This metaphorical comparison between the guitar and a cultural artifact is a common theme in Lorca's work, where he often explores the relationship between art and identity. The guitar, in this sense, becomes a symbol of Spanish culture and history, carrying the voices and stories of generations of people.

The fourth stanza returns to the theme of sensuality, describing the guitar as a "corazón dormido" (sleeping heart) that can be awakened by the touch of a skilled musician. This metaphorical comparison between the guitar and a heart is a powerful image that highlights the emotional connection between the musician and the instrument. Lorca's use of the word "dormido" (sleeping) also adds a sense of anticipation and excitement to the image, as if the guitar is waiting to be brought to life by the musician's touch.

The fifth and final stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the riddle that began the poem. Lorca describes the guitar as a "cosa de misterio" (thing of mystery) that can only be understood by those who know how to play it. This metaphorical comparison between the guitar and a mystery is a fitting conclusion to the poem, as it highlights the enigmatic and elusive nature of music. The guitar, in this sense, becomes a symbol of the creative process, where the artist must unlock the secrets of their craft in order to create something beautiful and meaningful.

In conclusion, Adivinanza De La Guitarra is a masterpiece of Lorca's poetry that showcases his unique style and vision. Through a series of metaphors and comparisons, Lorca creates a vivid and evocative portrait of the guitar, highlighting its physical beauty, cultural significance, and emotional power. The poem is a celebration of music and art, and a testament to the enduring power of creativity.

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