A Comprehensive Guide to Spanish Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Theater
Medieval Drama
Characteristics
- Performed in temples, streets, and squares.
- Religious theater was prevalent during Christmas and Easter.
- Originated from liturgical chants and tropes.
- Emergence of secular theater with genres like momos and entremeses.
Manifestations
- Auto de los Reyes Magos (play of the Magi)
- Fiestas de Epifanía (Epiphany celebrations)
- Mystery plays
Renaissance Theater
Characteristics
- Performed in churches, squares, halls, universities, and later in corrales de comedias (courtyard theaters).
Principal Tendencies
- Religious drama
- Italianate classicism
- Nationalism
- Popular theater
Cervantes and Renaissance Theater
- 1st period: Renaissance influences
- 2nd period: Experiments with models like entremeses and comedies, but with limited success
Baroque Theater
Dramatic Manifestations
Three main principles:
- Representations of comedy
- Drama
- Courtly mystery plays
Corrales de Comedias
Structure
- Courtyards surrounded by buildings
- Windows with bars
- Apartments and lofts
- Stage with an entrance and an “alojera” (area for refreshments)
- “Pot” (raised area for seating)
- Balcony
- Rooms for discussions
- Tables and wardrobe
Representation
- Use of “loa” (prologue) and “tono” (interlude)
- First act: Farce
- Second act: Dance or “Jácara” (musical interlude)
- Third act: Masquerade
Courtly Theater
- Developed in royal courts
- Characterized by spectacularity, influenced by Italian set designers
- Performances held in palaces and outdoor settings
Autos Sacramentales (Sacramental Plays)
- Focused on the sacrament of the Eucharist
- Extensive use of allegory and symbolism
- Spectacular scenic developments
- Single-act structure
- Connected to religious festivities
- Didactic and religious purpose
Types of Dramas
Lengthy Works
- Serious: Tragedies, tragicomedies, autos sacramentales
- Comic: Cape and sword comedies, comedies of intrigue
Short Plays
- Entremeses
- Loas
- Dances
- Ballads
- Masquerades
- Jácaras
National Comedy
Features
- Mix of tragic and comic elements
- Unity of action emphasized over unity of time and place
- Three-day rule
- Decorum and verisimilitude
- Appropriate language
- Varied thematic focus
Characters
- Lady
- Gallant
- Powerful figure
- Old man
- Funny character
- Servant
Ideology and Purpose
- Importance of the peasant and the king
- Emphasis on social order
- Entertainment for the public
Leading Playwrights
Lope de Vega
- Considered the creator of national comedy
- Blended cultured and popular elements in his plays
- Notable works: Fuenteovejuna, The Knight from Olmedo, Peribáñez and the Comendador of Ocaña
Tirso de Molina
- Cultivated a new form of comedy with intellectual depth and psychological penetration
- Female characters played significant roles in his works
- Notable works: Don Gil of the Green Breeches, The Trickster of Seville
- Popularized the myth of Don Juan Tenorio
Calderón de la Barca
- 1st stage: Wrote for corrales de comedias
- 2nd stage: Focused on courtly theater and autos sacramentales
- Plays known for their intellectual depth and complexity
- Notable works: Life is a Dream, The Mayor of Zalamea
Baroque Literature
- Continued the creative principles of the Renaissance while incorporating new ideas related to historical ideology.
- Three distinct phases:
- 1580-1610: Transition and renewal
- Early 17th century: Golden Age of Baroque literature
- Late 17th century: Decline and imitation, except for Calderón de la Barca who continued to produce major works
The Theatrical Spectacle of the Golden Age
- Abundant theatrical performances in cities with populations over 130,000
- Theater as a major form of entertainment for all social classes
- Afternoon performances in corrales de comedias (open-air spaces) or patios of houses
- Seating arrangements reflected social hierarchy
- Simple stage decorations in corrales de comedias
- Spectacle relied on actors’ words, gestures, and minimal props
- Courtly theater in palaces featured more elaborate set designs
- Public sought entertainment and happy endings
- Playwrights aimed for commercial success