Spanish Theater: From Medieval Times to the Baroque Era
Medieval Drama
Characteristics
- Performed in temples, streets, and squares.
- Religious theater was performed by civilians, primarily during Christmas and Easter.
- Originated from liturgical chants and tropes.
Secular Theater
- Momos
- Snacks
Manifestations
- Auto de los Reyes Magos
- Fiestas de Epifanía
- Misterios
Renaissance Theater
Characteristics
- Performed in churches, squares, halls, universities, and later in the late 16th century, in corrales de comedias.
Principal Tendencies
- Religious
- Italianate Classicism
- Nationalism
- Popular Theater
Theater of Cervantes
- 1st Era: Renaissance influences
- 2nd Era: Followed models like entremeses. His comedies and dramas were not as successful.
Baroque Theater
Dramatic manifestations revolved around three principles: representations of comedy, drama, and courtly mystery plays.
Manifestations
Corrales de Comedias
Structure
- Courtyards
- Side buildings with windows, apartments, and lofts
- Stage with an entrance and area for the “alojera” (person who sold refreshments)
- Balcony, rooms, discussion areas, tables, and a wardrobe
Representation
- Started with a loa (prologue) and introductory music
- First Act: Farce
- Second Act: Dance or Jácara
- Third Act: Masquerade
Courtly Theater
- Developed in the royal court.
- Characterized by its spectacular nature, thanks to Italian set designers who began working in Spain.
- Performances took place in palaces and outdoors.
Carros Sacramentales
- Focused on the sacrament of the Eucharist, using symbolism.
- Emphasized allegory and grand spectacles.
- Single-act structure connected to the religious theme.
- Combined allegorical expression with sumptuous scenery.
- Had a didactic and religious purpose.
Types of Dramas
Lengthy Works
- Serious: Tragedies, tragicomedies, carros sacramentales
- Comic: Cape and sword comedies, comedies of intrigue
Short Plays
- Entremeses
- Loas
- Dances
- Ballads
- Masquerades
National Comedy
Features
- Mix of tragic and comic elements
- Did not strictly adhere to the unities of time and place, but focused on the unity of action
- Three-day rule
- Decorum and verisimilitude
- Appropriate language
- Varied thematic focus
Characters
- Lady
- Gallant
- Powerful figure
- Old person
- Funny character
- Servant
Ideology and Purpose
- Relevance of the king, peasant, and guardian of order
- Evasion from public issues
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, incorporating intellectual elements and psychological depth
- Female characters held significant importance in his works
- Notable Works: Don Gil of the Green Breeches, The Trickster of Seville
- Developed the myth of Don Juan Tenorio
Pedro Calderón de la Barca
- 1st Stage: Wrote for corrales de comedias
- 2nd Stage: Focused on courtly theater and morality plays
- His plays are characterized by their intellectual depth and complexity
- Notable Works: Life is a Dream, The Mayor of Zalamea
The Theatrical Spectacle of the Golden Age
- Theatrical performances were abundant, especially in cities with over 130,000 inhabitants.
- Theater was a major form of entertainment, attracting people from all social classes.
- Performances typically took place in the afternoon in corrales de comedias (open-air spaces) or patios of houses.
- Wealthy merchants sat in the front rows, while women occupied a separate section called the “cazuela.”
- Men often stood in the courtyard, watching the play from afar. These spectators, known as “mosqueteros,” were known for their boisterous reactions, applauding enthusiastically or throwing tomatoes at the actors.
- Theaters were simply decorated, lacking in extravagance.
- Scene changes often occurred in full view of the audience, relying on dialogue and gestures to convey shifts in location.
- Courtly theater, performed in palaces, featured more elaborate sets and costumes.
- Playwrights aimed for popular appeal and commercial success, often selling their works to theater companies.
Baroque Literature
- Continued some creative principles from the Renaissance while incorporating new ideas related to historical ideology.
- 1st Phase (1580-1610): Considered a transitional period marked by renewal.
- 2nd Phase (Early 17th Century): Represents the peak of the Baroque period, witnessing the creation of major works.
- 3rd Phase (Late 17th Century): Dominated by imitation and the beginning of decline, with the exception of Calderón de la Barca, who continued to produce significant works.