Alexandrian verses: what they are, characteristics and examples

Alexandrian verses

Have you ever heard of Alexandrian verses? Although they no longer have the impact they had in their time, there are still those who remember them. But what are they? How are they made?

If you are interested in knowing everything about Alexandrian verses, not just their concept, but its origin, the history of these in Spain, and some examples, you have all the information below.

What are the Alexandrian verses

open book with cup of coffee

Let's start by clarifying what Alexandrian verses are. Is about verses that are used in poetry and are characterized by having 12 syllables. These are divided into two hemistiches of 6 syllables each, separated by a metric pause called a caesura.

The origin of the Alexandrian verses

open book of verses

The origin of the Alexandrian verses is quite old. The first to use them was the Greek poet Alexander of Ephesus., in the XNUMXrd century BC From then on it has been used in different languages ​​and times.

Alexander of Ephesus lived in the city of Ephesus, on the west coast of Turkey. The truth is Not much is known about his life, but there are some poetic works attributed to him, as is "The Doctor", an epic poem that narrates the exploits of the doctor Asclepius.

These verses spread very quickly through Greece and Rome, using it many of the poets of the time. Examples such as Virgil or Horace were among those who used it the most. And little by little he came to Western poetry.

The history of verse in Spain

In Spain, Alexandrian verse began to be used from the Renaissance. One of the first was Garcilaso de la Vega, author of the "First Eclogue" and "Second Eclogue", among other works.

In the Golden Age, Alexandrian verse became one of the most widely used types of verse, where numerous poets of the time, such as Lope de Vega, Juan Ruiz de Alarcón or Francisco de Quevedo, are referents of these verses, from lyric to epic or free verse.

In fact, it was in the Golden Age when it was of great importance in Spain and became one of the most widely used types of verse.

Examples of Alexandrian verses

two open books with cup of tea

As we know that sometimes understanding the theory is not easy, We have compiled some Alexandrian verses that you can see below.

"The sun rises in the east, sets in the west"

"The full moon shines in the night sky"

"The wind blows hard, the leaves fall to the ground"

«The sea is a great mystery, its bottom is dark and deep»

"The birds sing at dawn, announcing the new day"

"The sun's rays are reflected in the crystal clear water"

"Autumn comes with its colors, gold and red"

"Spring flowers greet the sun with their petals"

"The fresh country air fills my lungs"

"The river meanders between the mountains, its current is strong"

"The sea breeze caresses my face, its aroma is sweet"

"Crickets sing at night, their music is harmonious"

"The song of the nightingale is heard in the forest"

"The trees wave their leaves in the wind"

"The aroma of freshly brewed coffee spreads through the house"

"Cats sleep in the sun, their purrs are quiet"

"The smell of freshly fallen rain fills the air"

"Sunbeams filter through the clouds"

"The wind blows hard, making the flag wave"

"Birds fly in the sky, their flight is free"

Oh night, mother of dreams, most beautiful night of the year! (Jorge Manrique)

«With a single look, a single sigh, you are better for me (Garcilaso de la Vega)

«The crows with their cries laugh at my luck (Lope de Vega)

«The most beautiful love, the most noble desire, the purest feeling (Miguel de Unamuno)

«And although the whole world takes revenge on me viciously (Juan Ramón Jiménez)

"For love is stronger than death, jealousy stronger than the grave (Song of Songs)

Oh sweet home, lap of life, solace of the heart! (Francisco de Quevedo)

"What is life? A frenzy. What is life? An illusion (Pedro Calderón de la Barca)

"My heart is pounding, my soul is on fire" (William Shakespeare)

Oh death, sweet death, end of my sorrows! (John Donne)

The princess is sad… what will the princess have?

Sighs escape from his strawberry mouth,

who has lost laughter, who has lost color.

The princess is pale in her golden chair,

the keyboard of its voiced key is mute;

and in a glass, forgotten, a flower faints.

Ruben Dario. sonatina

"Oh sweet friends of mine! You, who are my consolation (Juan Ruiz de Alarcón)

«You, who are the sun that illuminates my day, the air that I breathe (Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz)

Oh you, who are the spirit of my life, the love that inspires me! (Gustavo Adolfo Becquer)

Oh you, who are the desire of my heart, the light of my eyes! (Fernando Pessoa)

Oh sweet home, lap of life, solace of the heart! (Francisco de Quevedo)

Oh you, who are the sun that illuminates my day, the air that I breathe! (Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz)

Oh you, who are the spirit of my life, the love that inspires me! (Gustavo Adolfo Becquer)

"Oh sweet friends of mine! You, who are my consolation (Juan Ruiz de Alarcón)

Oh you, who are the desire of my heart, the light of my eyes! (Fernando Pessoa)

Oh sweet home, lap of life, solace of the heart! (Francisco de Quevedo)

Doves of the valleys lend me your lullaby;

lend me, clear sources, your gentle rumor,

Lend me, lovely forests, your happy murmur,

and I will sing for you the glory of the Lord.

skunk

His verse is sweet and serious; drab rows

of winter poplars where nothing shines;

lines like furrows in brown fields,

and far away, the blue mountains of Castilla.

Antonio Machado

I have never in centuries achieved so delightful,

no shade so warm [no] smell so tasty;

I unloaded my clothes to be more vicious,

put me in the shade of a beautiful tree.

Gonzalo de Berceo

Do you have doubts about the Alexandrian verses? Ask us and we will try to help you.


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