Lustful Love and Atrocious Angst: The Affective Operations of the Comedia Nueva and Senecan-Scaligerian Playwriting in Amsterdam 1617-1672

Between 1617-1672, the Spanish comedia nueva was immensely popular in Amsterdam. While the comedia nueva was originally devised by playwright Lope de Vega (1562-1635) in Spain where he also had his first successes, his comedias were transferred to other European countries, such as the Dutch Republic. This Master Thesis reflects on the seemingly contradictional popularity of the comedia nueva in Amsterdam, while the Dutch Republic was revolting against its Spanish overlord. As such, the comedia nueva is being compared to the native Dutch Senecan-Scaligerian tradition, which promoted patriotism. This thesis aims to understand how the comedia nueva and Senecan-Scaligerian plays functioned alongside each other, while it is hypothesized that the emotional response of an audience provided for the popularity of a play. Through an analysis of both the dramatic macrostructure and microstructure, this is made clear, showing that both dramatic traditions were able to successfully instil...Show moreBetween 1617-1672, the Spanish comedia nueva was immensely popular in Amsterdam. While the comedia nueva was originally devised by playwright Lope de Vega (1562-1635) in Spain where he also had his first successes, his comedias were transferred to other European countries, such as the Dutch Republic. This Master Thesis reflects on the seemingly contradictional popularity of the comedia nueva in Amsterdam, while the Dutch Republic was revolting against its Spanish overlord. As such, the comedia nueva is being compared to the native Dutch Senecan-Scaligerian tradition, which promoted patriotism. This thesis aims to understand how the comedia nueva and Senecan-Scaligerian plays functioned alongside each other, while it is hypothesized that the emotional response of an audience provided for the popularity of a play. Through an analysis of both the dramatic macrostructure and microstructure, this is made clear, showing that both dramatic traditions were able to successfully instil emotions in the auditor ignoring political hostilities between the Spanish Empire and the Dutch Republic.Show less

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Lustful Love and Atrocious Angst: The Affective Operations of the Comedia Nueva and Senecan-Scaligerian Playwriting in Amsterdam 1617-1672