Spanish Renaissance Renaissance Drama in Spain Spanish Renaissance

Spanish Renaissance

Renaissance Drama in Spain • Spanish Renaissance drama is heavily influenced by: • Islamic Culture • Nearly 600 years of Moorish (i. e. , Islamic) occupation (711– 1276) • Revealed in attitudes toward women and honor • Catholicism • Determined to Christianize Spain, Ferdinand & Isabella institute The Spanish Inquisition (1478– 1834) • Seen in the emphasis on religious faith and doctrine • Spain’s sense of its own position as a world power • Ever hear of Christopher Columbus? • Dominant force in the New World

The “Golden Age” of Spanish Drama Siglo de Oro 1580 – • Dominated by a sense of confidence, energy, expansiveness, 1680 and faith in God, church, and state. • As Muslims are driven out of the peninsula, religious (Christian) drama begins to spread (the autos sacramentales) • By 1454, actors are being paid to perform in religious plays • Spain had close ties with Italy from 1470– 1550 • Italy’s interest in classical learning/art is adopted by intellectual elites in Spain • By 1550, secular drama has emerged (for an aristocratic audience) • Always written in verse (never developed a Spanish “blank verse”)

Lope de Vega (1562– 1635) • Most popular playwright of his age • Remarkably prolific (~450 plays survive) • His plays are notable for: • Clearly defined actions which arouse • • and maintain suspense Plots that revolve around conflicting claims of love and honor * Darker side of life always glossed over with a happy ending His female roles are among his best Natural dialogue Never penetrates deeply into human nature Work to know: The Sheep Well (c. 1614) • • • * Most succeeding Spanish drama adopts this favorite theme of his

Calderón (1600– 1681) • Ranked above Lope de Vega by many critics • Wrote primarily for the court theatre • Lope de Vega wrote mostly for the public theatres • Became a priest in 1651 • Lope did the same in 1614, after a very flamboyant life • Of approx. 200 plays, 100 survive… 80 are religious plays • Considered to have perfected the auto sacramentale (religious play) • Best secular plays were written 1622– 1640 • “Cape and Sword” comedies – happily resolved love intrigues • Serious plays – explore jealousy and honor • Most famous secular play is Life Is a Dream (c. 1636) • Created a kind of musical comedy genre, the zarzuela

Renaissance Drama in France

The Renaissance continues to flow northward • Late 1400 s – France begins to feel the effects of the Renaissance • Italian artists and scholars are soon invited to the French court • Medieval influences persist throughout the 16 th century, as well • So, Medieval and Renaissance elements exist side by side equally influential • The usual pattern unfolds… • Begins with study of Roman plays • Next come imitations of Classical works, but still written in Latin • Finally, plays in French (c. 1540) • Renaissance influence accelerates with King Henri II, around 1550

La Pléiade • The Pléiade were a group of seven French writers of the 16 th century • The group was established by 1550 • Their goal was to elevate the French language as a worthy medium for literature modeled on classical works • Their works were aimed primarily at the educated elite • The first plays in French modeled on classical forms were by a member of La Pléiade, Etienne Jodelle. • The last member died in 1605 (the rest had passed by 1590) • Comparable to the University Wits in England

Pierre Corneille 1606 -1650 Founder of French classical tragedy Known for simple characters in complex plots 1634, to write outlines he provided. Named to Les Cinq Auteurs (“The Five Poets”) in a group hand picked by Cardinal Richelieu virtuous drama based on themes and Major work to know: Le Cid (“The Lord”), c. 1636 Plot revolves around conflict between love and honor Observes some, but not all, of the neoclassical unities The French Academy criticized it for this, calling it dramatically

Jean Racine 1639 -1699 • Considered to have mastered French classical tragedy • Adhered strictly to the neoclassical ideals (including the unities) • His first two plays were produced by Molière • Works characterized by simple plots but complex characters • Drama focuses on characters’ psychological internal conflicts not so much on external events

Molière • • 1622 -1673 Real name: Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Actor, Playwright, Producer, Director Greatest of all writers of French comedy His farces were heavily influenced by commedia dell’arte Greatest achievements are his comedies of character & manners His biting satire of contemporary society stirred controversy Works to know: Tartuffe, The Misanthrope, The Imaginary Invalid Brought comedy indoors departing from the classical model