Spanish and Portuguese ETDs

Publication Date

7-12-2014

Abstract

This study centers on the graciosa, the female stock comic figure of early modern Spanish theater. It focuses on the comical discourse of this character in order to underscore five basic reasons that prove that she is a figure of this theater that requires more scholarly focus. The graciosas that are analyzed are: Celia and Clara from Lope de Vegas La dama boba (1613), Isabel from Calderón de la Barca's La dama duende (1629), Flora from Francisco Rojas Zorrilla's Primero es la honra que el gusto (prior to 1648) and Irene from Agustín Moreto's La fuerza de la ley (1651). This study also examines, applying language ideology theory, how the graciosas' discourse, especially when expressing disaffection with the society depicted in the plays, can serve to offer a more holistic perspective of the issues that concerned early moder Spanish theater-goers, especially women.

Degree Name

Spanish & Portuguese (PhD)

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Spanish and Portuguese

First Committee Member (Chair)

Quinn, Mary

Second Committee Member

Cardenas, Anthony

Third Committee Member

Kidd, Michael

Language

English

Keywords

Early Modern Spanish Theater, Graciosa

Document Type

Dissertation

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