Selected Poems from Luis de Góngora y Argote

Luis de Góngora y Argote, born Luis de Argote y Góngora on 11 July 1561 in Córdoba, Spain, was a significant Spanish Baroque poet. He is notably remembered for his culteranismo style of writing, a form that used complex syntax and Latinized vocabulary. Góngora, a Catholic prebendary for the Church of Córdoba, was born into a noble family, his father being a corregidor in Córdoba. He adopted his mother's surname, Góngora, in compliance with the era's emphasis on Christian lineage

Góngora was ordained a deacon in 1586 and held a position in Córdoba Cathedral, thanks to his uncle Don Francisco. His role involved traveling across various Spanish regions, including Madrid, Salamanca, and Toledo. He was ordained as a priest around 1605 and later lived in Valladolid and Madrid. Despite his growing circle of admirers, financial support from patrons was limited.

In 1617, Góngora was appointed honorary chaplain to King Philip III of Spain through the Duke of Lerma's influence. However, his tenure was short-lived. Góngora's rivalry with Francisco de Quevedo included public and literary disputes that were a notable aspect of both poets' lives.

Góngora's health deteriorated in 1626, leading to his return to Córdoba where financial difficulties plagued his later years due to his excessive spending, the costs of various litigations, and his lack of patronage He died on 24 May 1627 and is buried in Córdoba Cathedral.

His works, including "Soledades" and "Fábula de Polifemo y Galatea," were published posthumously. These, along with his numerous sonnets and shorter poems, were instrumental in establishing his lasting reputation in Spanish literature.

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