As early as 1760 and as late as 1920, Romantic drama dominated Peninsular Spanish theater. This love affair with Romanticism influenced the formation of Spain's modern national identity, which depended heavily on defining women's place in 19th century society. Women who defied traditional gender roles became a source of anxiety in society and on stage. The adulteress embodied the fear of rebellious women, the growing pains of modernity and the political instability of war and invasion. This book examines the conflicted portrayal of women and the Spanish national identity. Studying the adulteress on stage, the author provides insight into the uneasy tension between progress and tradition in 19th century Spain.

Publisher Description

Includes section "Reviews".

Ranging from the earliest drama to the theater of the 1980's this encyclopedia includes coverage of national drama and theater around the world, theater companies, and musical comedy. Arrangement of the 1,300 entries is alphabetically by name or subject with nearly 950 of these devoted to individual playwrights and their works.