While the presence of violence in the theater of Calderón has been observed by numerous scholars, this violence has not always been satisfactorily explained. Taking into account Seneca’s thought, as well as in that of St.Augustin, St.Thomas Aquinas, and St Bernard of Clairval, this essay analyzes the numerous manifestations of violence and cruelty in La devoción de la cruz, one of the first plays written by Calderón, and one that has been criticized by those who do not understand or sympathize with the culture of the Spanish Baroque. As a remedy for the violence and cruelty that can be observed in this play, Calderón proposes clemency, which was considered a vice by Seneca, while St. Augustin, St. Thomas, St. Bernard and the best-known authors of Spanish Golden Age held it as a Christian virtue which should have its place in the administration of justice.
Abstract
While the presence of violence in the theater of Calderón has been observed by numerous scholars, this violence has not always been satisfactorily explained. Taking into account Seneca’s thought, as well as in that of St.Augustin, St.Thomas Aquinas, and St Bernard of Clairval, [...]
The present article considers aspects of the dramatic genre, illustrating the arguments adduced with reference to La devoción de la cruz. It focuses on aspects of theatrical writing which the dramatist codifi es in the play text, that is, Calderón’s stagecraft in fashioning the plot with performance in mind. The article consists of two parts: the first discusses some theatrical techniques that help to distinguish between tragedy and comedy, such as the development of the action, the mood prevailing on-stage and Calderón’s handling of characterisation; the second presents a theatrical reading of the play’s ending and its opening. In its approach, the present contribution differs from existing ones which usually examine the play text from a literary point of view.
Abstract
The present article considers aspects of the dramatic genre, illustrating the arguments adduced with reference to La devoción de la cruz. It focuses on aspects of theatrical writing which the dramatist codifi es in the play text, that is, Calderón’s stagecraft [...]
La devoción de la cruz: between the human cruelty and the divine clemency 