SP 345: Spanish Golden Age Theater
Fall 2011.
The main focus of this course is to explore the literature and culture of one of the most relevant times in Spanish history. In this particular course you will read theater plays written and performed during Spain’s most glorious literary and artistic period: The Golden Age (el Siglo de Oro). During these years Spain was the most powerful country in the world. Charles V was not only king of Spain, but also Holy Roman Emperor (the most powerful man in Europe), and his son Philip II ruled over a vast Empire where the sun never set. The term Siglo de Oro, however, does not refer exclusively to the military and political power of the country (which did not last long, mind you, the subsequent “Philips” were a disaster). The literary and artistic activity in Spain during these years –both in quantity and in quality– was something the world had never seen before (and will never see again (so far)), producing World masterpieces as Don Quijote (1605, 1615) –the best-selling, non religious book ever–, or The Trickster of Seville (ca. 1616) –the most influential theater play of all time–. So... why should you read Golden Age drama? Well, simply because you cannot understand Spanish literature or culture without it. The Golden Age is not only the product of the Spanish Middle Ages (and, hence, it allows us to look back in time), but also the gateway to the future. You cannot understand the 18th century, the Romantic Period, or even the modern literature of Spain without exploring this significant period of Spanish history. In this topics course we will read some of the most famous and influential plays of Spain's Golden Age, including Tirso de Molina's El burlador de Sevilla, Calderón's La vida es sueño, María de Zayas' La traición en la amistad, and Lope de Vega's Fuenteovejuna and El caballero de Olmedo. All editions are available from Juan de la Cuesta Hispanic Monographs.
The main focus of this course is to explore the literature and culture of one of the most relevant times in Spanish history. In this particular course you will read theater plays written and performed during Spain’s most glorious literary and artistic period: The Golden Age (el Siglo de Oro). During these years Spain was the most powerful country in the world. Charles V was not only king of Spain, but also Holy Roman Emperor (the most powerful man in Europe), and his son Philip II ruled over a vast Empire where the sun never set. The term Siglo de Oro, however, does not refer exclusively to the military and political power of the country (which did not last long, mind you, the subsequent “Philips” were a disaster). The literary and artistic activity in Spain during these years –both in quantity and in quality– was something the world had never seen before (and will never see again (so far)), producing World masterpieces as Don Quijote (1605, 1615) –the best-selling, non religious book ever–, or The Trickster of Seville (ca. 1616) –the most influential theater play of all time–. So... why should you read Golden Age drama? Well, simply because you cannot understand Spanish literature or culture without it. The Golden Age is not only the product of the Spanish Middle Ages (and, hence, it allows us to look back in time), but also the gateway to the future. You cannot understand the 18th century, the Romantic Period, or even the modern literature of Spain without exploring this significant period of Spanish history. In this topics course we will read some of the most famous and influential plays of Spain's Golden Age, including Tirso de Molina's El burlador de Sevilla, Calderón's La vida es sueño, María de Zayas' La traición en la amistad, and Lope de Vega's Fuenteovejuna and El caballero de Olmedo. All editions are available from Juan de la Cuesta Hispanic Monographs.
