Soneto Gongorino en el que…

The scene depicts a serene pigeon with sweet eyes and white feathers on a laurel branch, enveloped in a pearly, misty aura, symbolizing absence. In the foreground, a hand caresses the pigeon’s whiteness, while delicate snowflakes scatter, evoking the melancholy and longing of the heart in the prison of love.

«Soneto gongorino» by Federico García Lorca is a poem that showcases the poet’s mastery of the Spanish Baroque literary style, particularly influenced by Luis de Góngora, a prominent figure of the Spanish Golden Age. The term «gongorino» refers to Góngora’s complex and elaborate style known as «culteranismo,» characterized by its intricate metaphors, elaborate language, and classical allusions.

Context and Analysis

The poem is a sonnet, a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter, often used in classical poetry to express themes of love, beauty, and nature. Lorca’s «Soneto gongorino» adheres to these traditional elements while imbuing them with his own modern sensibilities and emotional depth.

Analysis:

1. First Quatrain:

• «Este pichón del Turia que te mando,»
  The poem opens with the image of a pigeon, symbolizing a message or token of affection sent by the poet. The «Turia» refers to a river in Valencia, grounding the poem in a specific geographical and emotional context.
• «de dulces ojos y de blanca pluma,»
  The pigeon is described as having sweet eyes and white feathers, connoting purity and innocence.
• «sobre laurel de Grecia vierte y suma»
  The laurel is a symbol of victory and classical tradition, connecting the poem to ancient Greek culture.
• «llama lenta de amor do estoy pasando.»
  The slow-burning flame of love suggests a deep, enduring passion.

1. Second Quatrain:

• «Su cándida virtud, su cuello blando,»
  The virtues of the pigeon (or the loved one) are emphasized, highlighting gentleness and softness.
• «en limo doble de caliente espuma,»
  This line uses rich, sensory imagery to evoke warmth and intimacy.
• «con un temblor de escarcha, perla y bruma»
  The contrast of frost, pearls, and mist suggests a delicate and transient beauty, possibly indicating the fragility of love or memory.
• «la ausencia de tu boca está marcando.»
  The absence of the beloved’s kiss is poignantly marked, conveying a sense of longing and loss.

1. First Tercet:

• «Pasa la mano sobre tu blancura»
  Inviting the reader to touch the dove’s (or beloved’s) whiteness, a metaphor for purity or the poet’s affection.
• «y verás qué nevada melodía»
  The «snowy melody» metaphorically describes the beauty and perhaps the coldness or unattainability of the beloved.
• «esparce en copos sobre tu hermosura.»
  The image of snowflakes scattering enhances the idea of delicate beauty and perhaps the transience of emotions.

1. Second Tercet:

• «Así mi corazón de noche y día,»
  The poet’s heart is constantly affected, day and night.
• «preso en la cárcel del amor oscura,»
  Describing his heart as imprisoned in the dark prison of love, a powerful metaphor for the pain and confinement of unrequited or lost love.
• «llora, sin verte, su melancolía.»
  The heart weeps in melancholy, emphasizing the sorrow and longing experienced in the poet’s separation from the beloved.

Conclusion:

«Soneto gongorino» encapsulates Lorca’s ability to blend traditional Spanish poetic forms with his unique, modern voice. The poem reflects deep emotional experiences, utilizing rich imagery and classical references to convey themes of love, absence, and melancholy. Lorca’s engagement with the Baroque style of Góngora not only showcases his technical prowess but also places him within a broader literary tradition, highlighting his role in the evolution of Spanish poetry.