The Spanish Golden Age was a time of art, literature, and theater. It was a time for advancements of art; a time for exploration. Many artists prospered in this time period. In theatre, the Spanish Golden Age is said to span the many years between 1580 and 1700. However, it has also been argued that it may have ended sooner, in 1681, with Pedro Calderón de la Barca’s death. Aside from that, the period was long and saw many new works come to fruition. During the Golden Age, one of the most popular playwrights basically independently created national theatre in Spain. Lope Félix de Vega y Carpio’s “establishment of a dramatic tradition using characteristically Spanish themes, values, and subject matter was further developed… by Pedro Calderón
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This is his poetic treatise, his argument and discussion that he used to defend his own plays. “Tragedy mixed with comedy… causes much delight.” (Carpio, 17). This was one of the main points in Lope de Vegas’ eyes. He wrote for the publics enjoyment. Lope de Vega wrote a very complex treatise with many points as to how plays should be written in that time. He gave recommendations on how to write expositions and what forms to write the verses in, depending on what type of piece was being written. Lope de Vega also made suggestions as to which language should be used for certain types of characters in who are in different situations. He said to begin with simple language and not spend long trying to use too pompous language where simple introductions could suffice but be sure to use the language appropriately when the characters begin to “persuade, counsel or dissuade.” (Carpio, 22). “If the king should speak, imitate as much as possible the gravity of a king; if the sage speaks, observe a sententious modesty; describe lovers with those passions which greatly move whomever listens to them; manage soliloquies in such a manner that the recitant is quite transformed, and in changing himself, changes the listener. Let him ask questions and reply to himself, and if he shall make plaints, let him observe the respect due to women” (Carpio, 23), the different characters should speak and use language which would help enhance who their character is, not detract. Lope de Vega spoke on these topics along with many others, such as when costumes should be changed and what themes should be used. Lope de Vega wrote this treatise to put across an idea for how playwrights should go about writing in the time that they lived in now, based on what had been done before, what was working, what the public wanted, and he included his own personal choices in his
This is his poetic treatise, his argument and discussion that he used to defend his own plays. “Tragedy mixed with comedy… causes much delight.” (Carpio, 17). This was one of the main points in Lope de Vegas’ eyes. He wrote for the publics enjoyment. Lope de Vega wrote a very complex treatise with many points as to how plays should be written in that time. He gave recommendations on how to write expositions and what forms to write the verses in, depending on what type of piece was being written. Lope de Vega also made suggestions as to which language should be used for certain types of characters in who are in different situations. He said to begin with simple language and not spend long trying to use too pompous language where simple introductions could suffice but be sure to use the language appropriately when the characters begin to “persuade, counsel or dissuade.” (Carpio, 22). “If the king should speak, imitate as much as possible the gravity of a king; if the sage speaks, observe a sententious modesty; describe lovers with those passions which greatly move whomever listens to them; manage soliloquies in such a manner that the recitant is quite transformed, and in changing himself, changes the listener. Let him ask questions and reply to himself, and if he shall make plaints, let him observe the respect due to women” (Carpio, 23), the different characters should speak and use language which would help enhance who their character is, not detract. Lope de Vega spoke on these topics along with many others, such as when costumes should be changed and what themes should be used. Lope de Vega wrote this treatise to put across an idea for how playwrights should go about writing in the time that they lived in now, based on what had been done before, what was working, what the public wanted, and he included his own personal choices in his