Spanish Golden Age Theatre: Characteristics and Conventions
1. Spanish Golden Age Theatre
1.2. Dramatic Structure
Plays are typically divided into three acts, a structure established in the late sixteenth century. The plot unfolds throughout the play: the first act introduces the situation and characters, the second act develops the conflict, and the third act provides the resolution. Playwrights often strive for a dynamic pace, particularly in the first act.
1.3. Versification and Language
Plays are written in verse, utilizing a variety of meters and stanzas
Read MoreThe Old Spanish Ballads: A Literary Genre of Medieval Romance
1.1 The Ballad as a Literary Genre
The ballad, a genre of oral origin popular in the late Middle Ages, is a collection of romances sung and later compiled into written texts during the 15th and 16th centuries. These texts, preserved in manuscripts, printed books, and loose sheets, reflect a selection process favoring certain romances while neglecting others. This dual nature—oral origin yet subject to written forms—catered to a gentrified and courteous audience, signifying a revaluation of popular
Read MoreThe Poetic Universe of Federico García Lorca
Tradition and Modernity
The poet embodies the ancient culture of his people and embraces the lyrical tradition, incorporating technical innovations of the avant-garde. This results in a fusion of popular references, lyrical elements, and visual artistry. Lorca’s poetry, rooted in oral tradition, draws inspiration from Andalusian flamenco song. He blends traditional elements with imaginative creations, resulting in original works characterized by the irrational. Lorca maintains tradition while embracing
Read MoreHistory of Spanish Theater: From Medieval to 18th Century
Medieval Theater
Originating from religious celebrations, medieval theater stemmed from the dramatization of liturgical ceremonies within churches. The oldest example is the Auto de los Reyes Magos (Auto or Representation of the Three Kings) from the second half of the 12th century.
After a 250-year hiatus, theatrical activity resurfaced in the latter half of the 15th century with short plays like Gómez Manrique’s Representación del Nacimiento de Nuestro Señor (Representation of the Birth of Our
Read MoreLife’s a Dream: A Baroque Exploration of Free Will and Illusion
Baroque Theater
Theater was the most popular genre of the Baroque period. Audiences enjoyed the drama in courtyards between buildings, transformed into makeshift theaters. The stage, with side and rear doors, and sometimes galleries, represented scenes at different heights. There were no curtains, and the scenery was basic, relying on the actors’ words to create the setting. The front and sides of the stage served as the primary locations. Performances took place during the day due to the lack of
Read MoreRestoration and 18th Century English Literature: A Historical Overview
Restoration and 18th Century
Social and Historical Context
The plays of the Restoration period and the entire eighteenth century cannot be compared in importance and interest to the drama of the Elizabethan and Jacobean ages.
Every age seems to choose one literary form to specialize in. In the Age of Reason, which we are now concerned with, genius mainly chose the moral or satirical essay in prose or verse. The attitude of the age towards drama was, although this was not fully realized, fundamentally
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