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Two additional comedies, published here in book form in English for the first time, are The Billy-Club Puppets ― a guignol-type farce with delicate wit; and The Butterfly’s Evil Spell, an "insect comedy" about a beetle-poet who aspires to be a butterfly. Federico García Lorca’s position as one of the few geniuses of the modern theatre was firmly established in the English-speaking world with his Three Tragedies. Here, with an introduction by the dramatist’s brother, Francisco García Lorca, are five of his “comedies,” in the authorized translations, extensively revised to reflect recent Lorca scholarship and to convey the sparkle, freshness, and magic of the original Spanish. The Shoemaker’s Prodigious Wife tells of a young beauty married to an old man, a theme that often concerned Lorca. The resolution for the earnest shoemaker, who leaves home and comes back disguised as a puppeteer, is lighthearted, but there is underlying pathos. The Love of Don Perlimplin is again about a girl who weds someone much older, this time a bookish, 18th-century gentleman, who seeks an original but sardonic way out of the situation. According to Lorca himself, “Dona Rosita is the outer gentleness and inner scorching of a girl in Granada who, little by little, turns into that grotesque and moving thing ― an old maid in Spain.”
Federico García Lorca explores the tension between societal expectations and individual desire through a collection of farcical and poignant theatrical works. These plays center on characters navigating mismatched marriages, unrequited longing, and the absurdity of human social structures. Lorca utilizes a blend of surrealism, folklore, and sharp wit to challenge the constraints of early 20th-century Spanish life. The narrative framework varies from puppet-show farce to character-driven domestic drama, each piece functioning as a critique of rigid cultural norms.
Discussion often centers on the unique tonal duality present in Lorca’s comedic works, where humor frequently masks a deeper, more somber reality. Readers frequently highlight the author's ability to transform domestic grievances into surreal, theatrical experiences that remain relevant to modern audiences. Critics often note that while these plays are categorized as comedies, they possess a distinct emotional weight that distinguishes them from traditional light entertainment. The balance between the whimsical nature of the plots and the sharp social commentary provides a comprehensive view of Lorca's versatility as a dramatist. Many readers find the evolution of his characters, particularly those facing societal isolation, to be the most compelling aspect of the collection.
Page Count:
256
Publication Date:
1987-10-29
Publisher:
PENGUIN BOOKS LTD
ISBN-10:
0140079947
ISBN-13:
9780140079944
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