Spanish Baroque Literature: Golden Age Drama & Key Figures
The Spanish Baroque: A Cultural Movement
The Baroque was a cultural movement that developed in Spain in the seventeenth century, during what is called the Golden Age.
This period occurred under the reigns of Philip II, Philip IV, and Charles II.
This era was marked by political, economic, and social crises.
The political system of the time was an absolute monarchy, meaning all power rested with the monarch.
The country’s economy was in a very poor state due to epidemics, wars, and bad harvests.
As a result of this difficult situation, society adopted a pessimistic attitude towards life and displayed distrust.
Baroque Literature: A Reflection of Pessimism
Baroque literature is one of the most splendid artistic periods in the history of Spain, and its subject matter reflects the bitter and pessimistic vision that characterized this period.
Two literary styles emerged during this period: culteranismo and conceptismo.
The Rise of Baroque Drama
Drama reached its peak during the Baroque period.
Theatrical performances were held in corrales de comedias, which originated in the backyards of neighborhood houses.
Domestic comedy is characterized by breaking the rigidity of classical theater and creating a new formula that better suited public taste.
Baroque comedy was structured in three acts (1st, 2nd, and 3rd), allowing the plot to develop and keep the audience’s attention until the end.
The themes of the plays often involved the nobility and the middle class, highlighting the gallant, the funny character, and the lady.
The style of comedy was straightforward to make it accessible and enjoyable to the public. The works were written in verse.
The purpose of comedy was to reproduce the actions and customs of the people of the time.
Félix Lope de Vega: The Creator of a Theatrical Genre
Félix Lope de Vega was born in Madrid and studied at the Universities of Alcalá de Henares and Salamanca. He dedicated his life to his two passions: love and literature. Although he cultivated several genres, he excelled in drama, with more than 500 works attributed to him.
Lope de Vega is considered the creator of this theatrical genre, which is characterized by breaking the rigidity of classical theater and specializing in imitating the actions of individuals, portraying customs, and pleasing the public of any social status.
Among his most outstanding works on the theme of love are The Dog in the Manger and The Most Discreet Love.
His most important work on the theme of honor was Peribáñez and the Commander of Ocaña.
Lope de Vega’s work features a great variety of characters, including the king, the powerful noble, the knight, and the villain.
Pedro Calderón de la Barca: Philosophical and Moral Themes
Pedro Calderón de la Barca, after studying at the Universities of Alcalá de Henares and Salamanca, was ordained a priest and became chaplain to the king.
Calderón’s works treat several themes.
Those that followed the work of Lope de Vega are sitcoms and works about honor, and I emphasize: The Phantom Lady, The Mayor of Zalamea, and The Physician of His Own Honour.
Other works deal with more profound philosophical and moral issues, such as the meaning of life, personal freedom, or religion. The most important work is Life Is a Dream.
The number of characters in Calderón’s works is fewer than those in Lope de Vega’s.
Calderón uses a series of resources to achieve the beauty of his compositions. These resources affect both the form and content.