Conscience on stage

Conscience on stage

By Hilaire Kallendorf

Book Description

When faced with moral dilemmas, how do we determine the right course of action? This fascinating exploration reveals how Spanish playwrights of the seventeenth century grappled with this timeless question through the lens of casuistry, a method of ethical reasoning that examines individual cases to guide moral decision-making.

Hilaire Kallendorf uncovers a remarkable pattern in Spanish Golden Age theater, where the question "What should I do?" appears in over three-quarters of comedic plays from this era. This was no coincidence. Many of these influential dramatists, including numerous priest-playwrights, received their education from Jesuit casuists who specialized in case-based moral reasoning.

Through careful analysis of both religious confessors' manuals and theatrical works, Kallendorf demonstrates how casuistical thinking shaped an entire dramatic tradition. The author introduces readers to the specialized vocabulary and methodology of casuistry, showing how moral complexity was explored on stage through detailed examination of ethical scenarios.

This scholarly work offers valuable insights for anyone interested in the intersection of spirituality, ethics, and creative expression. By examining how seventeenth-century Spanish society wrestled with moral questions through theater, readers gain perspective on how communities have historically used storytelling to explore conscience, duty, and moral responsibility. The book illuminates how artistic expression can serve as a vehicle for examining life's most challenging ethical decisions.

Who Is This For?

📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)

📄 Length: 299 pages

What You'll Discover

  • ✓ Explore Histoire et critique
  • ✓ Explore Casuistique
  • ✓ Explore Christianity in literature
  • ✓ Explore Spanish drama (Comedy)
  • ✓ Explore Église catholique
  • ✓ Explore Confession (Liturgy)
  • ✓ Explore Casuistry in literature
  • ✓ Explore Spanish drama

Topics Covered

Histoire et critique Casuistique Christianity in literature Spanish drama (Comedy) Église catholique Confession (Liturgy) Casuistry in literature Spanish drama Conscience (Morale) dans la littérature Histoire Comédie espagnole Spanish drama, history and criticism History Confession in literature Casuistique dans la littérature Casuistry Théâtre espagnol History and criticism Confession dans la littérature Conscience in literature Catholic Church Liturgie Confession

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