Spanish Theater: From Conservatism to Avant-Garde

Conservative Spanish Theater

Comedy by Benavente

José Benavente, a great innovator and member of the Royal Academy, won the Nobel Prize. His work addresses the hypocrisy of the bourgeoisie, where vested interests and economic concerns overshadow genuine love.

Theater in Verse

This very traditionalist ideology (medieval deeds, high moments of the rule) is represented by two authors: Francisco Villaespesa and Eduardo Marquina. The Machado brothers also contributed works, though their quality is debated.

Comic Theater

Usual Fare

The Álvarez Quintero brothers reflected the Andalusian aristocratic bourgeoisie, focusing on sentimental problems.

Sainete

Carlos Arniches created Madrid Sainetes, imitating the speech of the people and mixing grotesque tragedy with the laughable.

Astracanada

Pedro Muñoz Seca wrote outlandish comedies filled with jokes, though lacking in quality.

Renovating Trends

Before '27

Unamuno and Azorín explored philosophical themes. Jacinto Grau, inspired by literary themes, faced exile from Spain. Ramos Gómez de la Serna's work, The Half People, features characters with incomplete personalities.

Generation of '27

Miguel Hernández wrote sacramental works influenced by Lope de Vega, as well as short pieces representing the war on the front lines. García Lorca's theater is notable for its exploration of the conflict between reality and desire, with characters often doomed to frustration by prejudice. Key works include Blood Weddings, Yerma, and The House of Bernarda Alba.

Valle-Inclán

Valle-Inclán rejected bourgeois civilization, initially praising rural society before later opposing revolutionary positions.

Three Stages

1. Stage 1: Modernist influence of Rubén Darío.
2. Stage 2: A phase of transition with a more critical and aggressive tone and language. Important works include savage comedies set in Galician rural environments, featuring unique characters and violent passions.
3. Stage 3: The stage of absurdity.

Features of Absurdity

• Deformation of reality and absurd characters.
• Exaggerated situations.
• Use of satire, irony, and colloquial language.

His Three Scarecrows, written under the heading of Mardi Gras, showcase his innovation and avant-garde style, anticipating new trends in theater.

1940s: High Comedy

Plays written to entertain and reinforce bourgeois ideology, offering friendly criticism of their customs and traditional values.

Humorous Theater

Enrique Poncela's innovative and bold tastes clashed with the public after the war, preventing him from fully developing his potential. Miguel Mihura explored absurd humor.