The "History of Spanish Literature" is designed not only to encourage the reader's interest in Spanish literature itself, but also to provide an introduction to current academic discussion on the subject. The present state of research in each area touched upon is faithfully reflected. Thus the emphasis is not on a mere collation of 'facts' but on the discussion and profounder significance of those facts. The attempt is made in all cases to define what is characteristic about a given author, epoch or literary genre.