University of Sussex
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

The Ambivalence of Imperial Discourse: Cervantes's Numancia within the 'Lost Generation' of Spanish Drama (1570-90)

book
posted on 2023-06-07, 23:14 authored by Aaron KahnAaron Kahn
This book offers a new reading of Miguel de Cervantes's play La destruccion de Numancia (c. 1583), analysing the work in relation to theories of empire in sixteenth-century Spain, in the context of plays written immediately before the rise in popularity of Lope de Vega and the comedia nueva, and the playwright's innovative use of dramatic techniques in this transitional period of Spanish drama. Dramatic writers have always used the stage as a medium through which they could comment on current events involving politics, religion, philosophy, and society; Cervantes was no exception. His discourse concerning imperial expansion in La Numancia has resulted in many conflicting interpretations of the play's meaning. This book explores the drama's thematic and generic ambiguities, as well as Cervantes's representation and interpretation of the historical record in the creation of his characters and his portrayal of the fall of Numancia in 133 BC to the Roman army of Scipio Aemilianus. Finally, this study addresses the significance of seemingly intentionally unclear discourse in reference to La Numancia and the turbulent political and religious environment of late sixteenth-century Spain.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Publisher

Peter Lang

Pages

243.0

ISBN

9783039110988

Series

Volume 14 of Hispanic Studies : Culture and Ideas

Department affiliated with

  • Sussex Centre for Language Studies Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC