Jose Rizal's Early Literary Works and University Studies

Poems Written in Ateneo

Jose Rizal's poetic talent was first recognized and encouraged by his mother, Doña Teodora. However, it was Father Sanchez who truly inspired him to fully utilize his God-given gift in poetry.

Mi Primera Inspiracion (My First Inspiration), 1874
- This was likely the first poem Rizal wrote during his time in Ateneo, dedicated to his mother on her birthday.
- He composed it before he was 14 years old, showcasing his early poetic genius.
Poems in 1875
Inspired by Father Sanchez, Rizal wrote several more poems in 1875:
- Felicitacion (Felicitation)
- El Embarque: Himno a la Flota de Magallanes (The Departure: Hymn to Magellan's Fleet) - a tribute to Magellan's voyage.
- Y Es Espanol: Elcano, el Primero en dar la Vuelta al Mundo (And He is Spanish: Elcano, the First to Circumnavigate the World) - celebrating Elcano's historic achievement.
- El Combate: Urbiztondo, Terror de Jolo (The Battle: Urbiztondo, Terror of Jolo) - a martial poem depicting a battle.
Poems in 1876
Rizal's poems in 1876 covered diverse themes including religion, education, childhood memories, and war:
- Un Recuerdo a Mi Pueblo (In Memory of My Town) - a tender and nostalgic poem honoring his natal town, Calamba.
- Alianza Intima Entre la Religion y la Buena Educacion (Intimate Alliance Between Religion and Good Education) - highlighting Rizal's belief in the crucial role of religion in fostering good education.
- Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through Education the Country Receives Light) - expressing Rizal's conviction that education is fundamental to a nation's progress and welfare.
- El Cautiverio y el Triunfo: Batalla de Lucena y Prision de Boabdil (The Captivity and the Triumph: Battle of Lucena and the Imprisonment of Boabdil) - a martial poem detailing the defeat and capture of Boabdil, the last Moorish sultan of Granada.
- La Entrada Triunfal de los Reyes Catolices en Granada (The Triumphal Entry of the Catholic Monarchs into Granada) - recounting the victorious entry of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel into Granada, the final Moorish stronghold in Spain.
Poems in 1877
During his final year in Ateneo, 1877, Rizal composed more poems:
- El Heroismo de Colon (The Heroism of Columbus) - a poem praising Christopher Columbus, the discoverer of America.
- Colon y Juan II (Columbus and John II) - this poem narrates how King John II of Portugal missed out on fame and riches by failing to finance Columbus's proposed expedition to the New World.
- Gran Consuelo en la Mayor Desdicha (Great Solace in Great Misfortune) - a verse legend depicting the tragic life of Columbus.
- Un Dialogo Aluviso a la Despedida de los Colegiales (A Farewell Dialogue of the Students) - this poignant poem, Rizal's last written in Ateneo, expresses a heartfelt farewell to his classmates.
Other Notable Religious and Dramatic Works
- Al Niño Jesus (To the Child Jesus) - a brief ode written in 1875 when Rizal was 14 years old.
- A La Virgen Maria (To the Virgin Mary) - another religious poem, the exact date of which is not specified.
- San Eustacio, Martir (St. Eustace, the Martyr) - a drama based on the prose story of St. Eustace, which Rizal wrote in poetic verses during the summer vacation of 1876 and completed on June 2, 1876.

Medical Studies at the University of Santo Tomas (1877-1882)

After completing his first year of a course in Philosophy and Letters (1877-1878), Rizal transferred to the medical course.

Initial Opposition and Uncertainty
- His mother, Doña Teodora, vigorously opposed his pursuit of higher learning, famously stating:
  Don't send him to Manila again; he knows enough. If he gets to know more, the Spaniards will cut off his head.
- In April 1877, nearly 16-year-old Rizal matriculated at the University of Santo Tomas, initially taking Philosophy and Letters because his father desired it and he was