ARTE Y SIMBIOSIS: COHEN Y LORCA

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to analyse the synergy between the life and work of Federico García Lorca (1898-1936) and that of the Canadian composer and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen (1934-2016). The study is framed in the theoretical perspective of Comparative Literature because of its analysis of different perspectives. The analysis will be approached from three different aspects which are related to the work and life of these poets: the influence of travel and literary circles, the poetic-visual art in relation to their drawings, and their musicality in relation to the poetic texts. The first intention is to show the link that both authors share not only from a thematic or aesthetic perspective, but also from a cultural one. The second intention is to explore the influence of Federico García Lorca on Leonard Cohen, while emphasizing the contribution of Cohen to musical configuration of Lorca's work. Thanks to this plethora of perspectives, in this analysis the strong influences between Lorca's music and Cohen's poetic work are explored and they encompass a vast network of arts. The analysis remarks that the Canadian poet has inherently conditioned the dissemination, and understanding of, Lorca's poetry. This is especially apparent when it involves one of the most difficult poems for audiences to understand, "Poet in New York" (1929-1930).