Analysis of Miguel Mihura’s “Three Top Hats”
Analysis of Three Top Hats by Miguel Mihura
Characters
Dionysus
Dionysus is a young, conventional man of 27 who desires a traditional marriage. He initially appears shy and lacking in willpower. He encounters Paula and is drawn to her bohemian lifestyle, but ultimately lacks the strength to break free from his bourgeois upbringing. His character arc is circular, as he eventually accepts a conventional marriage, mirroring his initial mindset.
Buby
Buby, the black man who manages the Music Hall ballet company, acts as a bridge between the bohemian and bourgeois worlds. He is involved in the theater world but also exhibits characteristics of the conventional world, such as an emphasis on money and exploitation of the dancers for personal gain.
Paula
Paula is an 18-year-old ballet dancer who represents the struggles of individuals in this society. She attempts to conceal her past and present hardships, pretending to be a naive girl in love with Buby. However, her unhappiness, stemming from poverty, becomes evident. Dionysus’s presence brings moments of joy to her life.
Don Rosario
Don Rosario, the owner of the hotel where Dionysus stays, is a loving and affectionate character who longs to share her love. She lost her son and now showers her guests with affection.
The Hateful, The Cunning Hunter, The Ancient Military Man, The Cheerful Explorer, The Romantic Lover, The Handsome Young Man
These characters represent the hypocrisy of bourgeois morality. Mihura portrays them in an absurd and exaggerated manner, highlighting the artificiality of their world.
Fanny, Madame Olga, Sagra, Trudy, Carmela
These Music Hall artists represent the counterpoint to the bourgeois world, while also being at its service. They embody the deceptive underworld of prostitution. Mihura presents them as amusing, cheerful, and superficial.
Structure
Mihura adheres to the rules of classical drama: unity of action, time, and space. The play is divided into three acts:
- Act I: Introduction of characters and the central conflict, focusing on the characters’ pretenses.
- Act II: Development of the conflict as Dionysus experiences the illusionary world of Paula and the Music Hall.
- Act III: Resolution of the conflict, with Dionysus returning to his conventional life, crushed by the bourgeois system represented by Don Sacramento.
Time and Space
The action unfolds over a single night, from 11 PM to 6 AM, in a single setting: a luxury hotel room near a European city.
Personal Opinion
“Three Top Hats” is a significant work by Miguel Mihura, introducing a fresh perspective on comedic theater. Its simple structure is filled with absurd humor, and the play’s most notable element is its sharp critique of bourgeois society, exposing its hypocrisy and vulgarity. It is an enjoyable and thought-provoking read.
Relation of the Title to the Work
The top hat holds multiple symbolic meanings:
- A symbol of bourgeois respectability, particularly in the context of marriage.
- A representation of magic and illusion in the entertainment world.
- A bridge between Dionysus’s and Paula’s worlds, initiating their relationship.
- An ironic symbol of the entertainment world’s superficiality and mediocrity when Paula juggles it.
Genre
“Three Top Hats” belongs to the theatrical genre. Beneath its comedic and farcical surface lies a tragic theme.