Abstract

The actual essay analyzes briefly the situation of the Calderonian plays within the new taste of the Neoclassicist period, in order to examine the editions of his work that were printed from the end of the 17th century to the middle of the 18th. First of all, we study the editorial task developed by Vera Tassis in the comedies and Pando y Mier in the sacramental plays. Then, we pay attention to the volumes prepared by Fernández de Apontes to be printed during the second half of the 18th century, when following the theorists and the preserved documents (number of sold tickets in the theatres), Calderón seemed not to be so popular amongst the Enlightment audience. Therefore, we would try to figure out the reasons why Fernández de Apontes printed the complete work written by the playwright in a historical moment in which the taste of the audience had changed.

Abstract

The success of Spiritual Literature in Golden Age, especifically St Augustine prays and his autobiography Confessions, are used by Lope de Vega to reflect the official position of the Catholic Counter-Reformation. The Sacramental play shows these rethoric aspirations and Lope, in order to teach and make the audience feel like he did with Sacred Rimes, uses images and Augustinian themes to get it.

Abstract

In the critical bibliography referred to Lope de Vega, the scholar usually finds the image of this author as a forerunner of Calderón. A good strategy to verify this impression is through partial studies as this devoted to the analysis of the bestiary in the sacramental plays. This article analyses the bestiary assigned to Christ, the devil and others more eclectic references ascribed to metaphorical expressions, or biblical characters. In short, the author proves that there is a strategy of performance through associative nets (that combines biblical text, patristic references, emblems, sculpture and painting) laying down the way to the magnificense of Calderón.

Abstract

The author of this article reviews the critical bibliography of the sacramental plays by Lope to show how scholars have always considered that this writer adapted elements and resources taken from his comedies into the sacramental plays. Actually, this article analyses the code of honor relevant in comic comedies and tragedies with different results. But this convention is also coherent with the sacramental genre, because it is supported by images and biblical metaphors and, in this case, they force a determined end. Equally, we have to take into consideration that the playwright employs other means specific of the auto sacramental to allow the allegory to operate and connect its two allegorical levels.