The Spanish Setting in Restoration Comedy

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1. Historical Background

1.2. The Stereotype of the Spaniard

1.3. The Playwrights

2. John Dryden

2.1. The Rival Ladies

2.1.1. The Play Itself

2.1.2. The Spanish Setting

2.2. An Evening's Love

2.2.1. The Play Itself

2.2.2. The Spanish Setting

2.2.3. The English versus the Spanish

2.3. The Spanish Friar

2.3.1. The Play Itself

2.3.2. The Spanish Setting

2.3.3. The Issue of Religion

2.3.3.1. The Moor and the Jew

2.3.3.2. The Catholic

3. Aphra Behn

3.1. The Dutch Lover

3.1.1. The Play Itself

3.1.2. The Spanish Setting in Place and Time

3.1.2. The Spanish in Comparison

3.2. The Rover II

3.2.1. The Play Itself

3.2.2. The Spanish Setting

3.2.3. Different Nationalities and Beliefs

3.3. The False Count

3.3.1. The Play Itself

3.3.2. The Spanish Setting

3.3.3. Languages

3.3.4. Religion

4. Mary Pix and The Spanish Wives

4.1. The Play itself

4.2. Place Names Referring to the Spanish Peninsula

4.3. The Characters - Names and Physical Appearance

4.5. The Catholic Element

5. Conclusion

Objectives and Scope

This work examines the representation of the Spanish setting in English Restoration comedies, investigating how playwrights utilized this foreign locale as a narrative device and a vehicle for cultural commentary. The primary research question explores whether a common Spanish setting resulted in shared thematic features and how it influenced the portrayal of religion, national character, and socio-political tensions between England and Spain.

• The influence of Spanish and French intrigue comedies on the Restoration stage.
• The literary construction of the "Spaniard" through national stereotypes.
• The intersection of political and religious conflict (Catholicism, the Popish Plot) with dramatic content.
• Comparative analysis of works by John Dryden, Aphra Behn, and Mary Pix.
• The role of "Spanish" settings as a response to contemporary political trends and audience expectations.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Discusses the scope of Restoration drama, the influence of continental styles, and the historical context of Anglo-Spanish relations.

2. John Dryden: Analyzes the use of Spanish settings and intrigue in three of Dryden's comedies, highlighting his transition toward heroic play elements.

3. Aphra Behn: Explores Behn's integration of Spanish intrigue, the satire of Dutch characters, and the influence of commedia dell'arte.

4. Mary Pix and The Spanish Wives: Examines Pix's play as a late-Restoration farce that modifies traditional stereotypes of Spanish life.

5. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings on how the "Spanish setting" functioned more as a flexible theatrical stereotype than a historically accurate representation.

Keywords

Restoration Comedy, John Dryden, Aphra Behn, Mary Pix, Spanish setting, intrigue comedy, national stereotype, Catholicism, Anglo-Spanish relations, drama history, theatre studies, heroic plays, commedia dell'arte, Restoration drama, English literature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

The work focuses on the depiction and functional use of Spanish settings in English Restoration comedies written between 1664 and 1696.

Which playwrights are examined in detail?

The study provides a comparative analysis of three significant authors: John Dryden, Aphra Behn, and Mary Pix.

What is the primary goal of the analysis?

The goal is to determine if a shared Spanish setting induced common features in these plays and to understand how these authors used such settings to engage with contemporary English political and religious issues.

Which scientific methods were applied?

The author employs a comparative literary analysis, evaluating plot structures, the use of stereotypes, historical context, and the influence of contemporary European drama.

What topics are explored in the main part?

The main part analyzes specific plays by each author, focusing on how they present geography, language, religion, and the "Spanish" character type to their audiences.

Which keywords best characterize this work?

Restoration Comedy, Spanish setting, literary stereotypes, Dryden, Behn, Pix, and political satire.

How is the "Spanish Friar" treated in the context of the Popish Plot?

The "Spanish Friar" is discussed as a reaction to the Exclusion Crisis, using anti-Catholic sentiments and a comedic double-plot to balance royalist themes.

What role does Mary Pix play in the transition of the genre?

Mary Pix is positioned at the turn of the century, where she simplifies earlier Restoration conventions and introduces more sentimental elements into her farcical comedies.