Life Is a Dream Essay

Historical backgroundSpain was join after the Moorish occupation (711-1400s). However, it alike left Spain as a cultural male monarch plant in Europe which was still largely medieval in fifteenth century. Spanish philosophers and scholars exerted strong influence and their craftsmen were well known across Europe.Ferdinand and Isabella united Spain and by 1492 expelled the Moors entirely form the country. They were determined to Christianize Spain and instituted the Inquisition to play down and punish heretics/in addition to the Moors tey expelled all the Jews from the country.Influences from both the Moors and Catholics argon evident in the Spanish drama Moorish heritage in the attitude towards women and honor Catholic influence-religious faith and doctrine- graven image and church.Spain was the dominant world power for almost two centuries-1492 expansion and occupation of many lands in America, Africa split of Europe-Portugal, Sicily, Netherlands. This gave the nation a sense of stability, confidence, energy-also evident in the discipline.Religious drama-auto sacramentale- were super popular and performed regularly even after they had become obsolete in the rest of Europe. Professional troupes were organized for this purpose-best writers were hired to write them. They were produced on carts (carros) near 16 feet long and 36 feet tall-thus having two levels.Eventually they used 4 carros as a permanent stage- propelors were reharsing for a long time and were presenting for the metropolis council before the performance could get approved for the public. Autos were performed for 200 years until the worsen in mid 1700sBy the end of the 16th century-several dramatic geners appe atomic number 18dComedia-3 act dramas or comedies.Cape and Sword-about lowly gentlemen and Cuerpo (Noise) about kings and mythological characters, saints-actions in contrasted places.Lope de Vega1562-1635-One of the most famous and prolific playwrights-a nobleman, soldier, business man, lover and in conclusion a priest. He wrote over 1600 plays some-450 have survived. Often compared to Shakespeare, he did not have the depth and insight into human nature-he preferred to end plays with beaming endings-looking at the positive side.Pedro Calderon de La Barca1600-1681Wrote about 200 plays of which a atomic number 6 survived. He wrote Cape and Sword comedies-love triangles that are happily resolved. He also wrote serious plays about jealousy and honor. Most famously he wrote a number of autos-his were the most popular and the form declined after his death.LIFE IS A DREAM1636A philosophical allegory about the human maculation and the mystery of life. It is a tragi-comedy-has elements of both. All major characters suspended between polar duties-promises and expectations of what is to be done.Clotaldo has a duty to kill anyone who sees Segismundo but also support not kill his own daughteras his duty is to harbor her. Sgismundo kills his helpers the rebels as he has a duty to the kingdom. As in a classical comedy everyone gets married at the end but the couples are strange or unexpected-Segismundo marries Estrella instead of Rosaura-she marries Astolfo as he has ruined her honor.AnalogiesDreams to theater as theater to lifeDreams to life as life to time to comeBasilio is rebuked in the play as he wants to find out his fate-only God knows your fate.Women were allowed on stage from the end of the 16th century. Cross-dressing was forbidden so Rosaura appears as a half-monster-half-male, half female clothing.