Spanish Golden Age Theater: Lope de Vega's New Comedy and Calderón's Style

Lope de Vega and the New Art of Comedy (*Arte Nuevo*)

Characteristics of Lope de Vega's Theater

Lope de Vega created a new dramatic formula by connecting the various existing trends in theater. His works were written to appeal to all people.

Features of the *Arte Nuevo* (New Art)

Lope described the following features that his works should possess:

• Free Theme: A wide variety of subjects.
• A mixture of tragedy and comedy (tragicomedy).
• Unity of action (a single main plot).
• Division into three acts.
• Likelihood in the form of dialogue (natural speech).
• Matching the content to the social status of the character.
• Recurring characters (e.g., the *gracioso* or witty servant).
• The central subject is often the theme of honor.

Major Works of Lope de Vega

Lope's major works are generally grouped into three categories:

1. Dramas of Unjust Power: These works depict the abuse of power by a noble figure against a commoner or villain.
   • Example: Fuenteovejuna
2. Dramas of Honor: A group of works that raise issues related to the new art, focusing on social honor and the conflict between social and personal honor.
3. Dramas of Love: Featuring works about a pair of lovers whose basic theme is love that ultimately triumphs.
   • Example: The Dog in the Manger (*El perro del hortelano*)

Calderón de la Barca

Characteristics of Calderón's Theater

Calderón perfected the formula inherited from Lope, tending toward formal perfection and simplification of structure.

• Hierarchical clustering of the characters.
• Subjectivity and introspection.
• A clear vision of the Baroque era.
• Baroque language (ornate and complex).
• Difficult and profound themes.

Calderón employed two distinct styles: one that dominates his religious comedies and another that remains closer to Lope's original style.

Major Works of Calderón

• The Dramas of Honor: These works lead to the ultimate, often tragic, consequences of the honor code.
• The Legendary Historical Dramas: Often featuring the clash between the noble class and the peasantry.
• The Philosophical Dramas.
• Autos Sacramentales: One-act religious plays performed as part of the Corpus Christi religious holiday.
• The Comedies of Manners and Sitcoms: Their theme is typically love, and they usually feature multiple couples.

Life Is a Dream (*La vida es sueño*)

Argument (Plot Summary)

Prince Segismundo is chained in a tower because his father, King Basilio, feared that the horoscope predicting Segismundo would seize power and tyrannize the nation would come true.

Thematic Focus, Stagecraft, Language, and Style

The central theme of the work is human freedom. It explores the conflict between free will and determinism, arguing strongly for the existential freedom of man. The play revolves around two parallel actions: the story of Segismundo and the story of Rosaura.

Calderón uses sophisticated language, leaning heavily on the Baroque resources of *conceptismo* (wit and complex ideas) and *culteranismo* (ornate, difficult vocabulary and syntax).