Reviews for Teatros y Comedias en Madrid, 1688-1699: Estudio y Documentos

The average rating for Teatros y Comedias en Madrid, 1688-1699: Estudio y Documentos based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-09-18 00:00:00 Scott Bykerk If "The Wonder-Working Magician," and "Life is a Dream" are Calderón's most exalted works, then I have to say that "Life is a Dream" is more suited to be exalted by philosophers and artists, whereas "The Wonder-Working Magician" is to be exalted by mere Christians. Which is to say that, though it has its artistry and its charm, it is too bluntly didactic in its presentation of Christian themes, particularly in the final third. It must surely have appealed to an audience that wanted its lessons underlined and unambiguous. Which is not to say it isn't a good play; it is good, perhaps rather good in its way; but I'd have to say that "Life is a Dream" is more to be recommended to the literary minded reader, while "The Wonder-Working Magician" has more academic interest. In it, one can see reflections of (and on) the other artworks of its time, a Faustian theme, structural similarities to some of Shakespeare's work, earlier Medieval ideals of courtly love as symbolic of (and in contrast to) religious love; it's not a great departure from the Spanish-Christian tradition as seen in Diego de San Pedro's Prison of Love, while it clearly and overtly favors spiritual love over carnal love; and there is poetry and occasional wit in its lines. It is, as well, rigorous. The author set out and succeeded to tie everything together so that a couple of parallel narrative threads are finally drawn together and we see that even the buffoonery served its purpose as parable. And while the fate of those who die in faith is certain, those of us who survive--both on stage and in the audience--are left in suspense about our own fates until we each meet our end, and may it be a happy one! (I.e. martyrdom?) ------------------------------- ...we learn or late or soon, That beneath the inconstant moon Human bliss doth never last. ------------------------------- The fair cradle of the skies, Where the infant sun reposes, Ere he rises, decked with roses, Robed in snow, to dry heaven's eyes. The green prison-bud that tries To restrain the conscious rose, When the crimson captive knows April treads its gardens near, Turning dawn's half-frozen tear To a smile where sunshine glows. The sweet streamlet gliding by, Though it scarcely dares to breathe Softest murmurs through its teeth, From the frosts that on it lie. The bright pink, in its small sky Shining like a coral star. The blithe bird that flies afar, Drest in shifting shades and blooms-- Soaring cithern of plumes Harping high o'er heaven's blue bar. The white rock that cheats the sun When it tries to melt it down, What it melts is but the crown Which from winter's snow it won. The green bay that will not shun, Though the heavens are all aglow, For its feet a bath of snow,-- Green Narcissus of the brook, Fearless leaning o'er to look, Though the stream runs chill below In a word, the crimson dawn, Sun, mead, streamlet, rosebud, May bird that sings his amorous lay, April's laugh that gems the lawn, Pink that sips the dews up-drawn, Rock that stands in storm and shine, Bay-tree that delights to twine Round its fadeless leaves the sun, All are parts which met in one Form this woman most divine. For myself, in blind unrest, (Guess my madness if you can) I, to seem another man, In these courtly robes am drest, Studious calm I now detest, Fame no longer fires my mind, Passion reigns where thought refined, I my firmness fling to tears, Courage I resign to fears, And my hopes I give the wind. I have said, and so will do, That to some infernal sprite I would offer with delight (And the pledge I now renew) Even my soul for her I woo. But my offer is in vain, Hell rejects it with disdain, For my soul, it may allege, Is a disproportionate pledge For the interest I would gain. ------------------------------- And, somewhat reminiscent of Don Quixote's madness, The Devil speaks of books: ...the instinct of my soul doth ever draw me unto men to books addicted.

Review # 2 was written on 2020-12-05 00:00:00 Lori Meehan after i've read the other Calderon book, Life is a dream, i was bitter starting this one, but it completely exceeded my expectations. it was funny and interesting and the story was well made, i really enjoyed my time reading this. also i thought it will be super religious but it was really good.