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The Origins of the "Soledades".

Góngora's "Soledades" originate from several texts and locations.

The initial concept derives from Oration VII written by the Greek philosopher Dio Crysostom (circa 15 - 115 AD) who was shipwrecked on the island of Euboea. There he met a hunter who guided him to safety and introduced him to various social meetings, including a wedding. Crysostom's text was translated to Latin in the early 1600s. Today one may also read it in Spanish or English.(1)

Considerable research will be required to define the relationship between Góngora and Crystostom (and possibly other sources). The locations described in the two "Soledades" include Greece, Andalucía, Béjar (in Castile, on the border of Extremadura) and Galicia.(2)

Béjar

(1)  Malkiel and Carreira mention Crystostum as possible sources. Góngora obtained the texts from Pedro de Valencia.

(2)  The well-known "island imagery" clearly depicts the Guadalquivir as it flows through Córdoba. The opening lines of the second "Soledad" describe the "Rías bajas" of Galicia. (Góngora visited Pontevedra in the early 1600s.) The location of the Introduction is of course Béjar and its surroundings.