Conscience on stage
the Comedia as casuistry in early modern Spain
Hilaire Kallendorf
299 pages | ~8 hrs
Conscience on stage
the Comedia as casuistry in early modern Spain
By Hilaire Kallendorf
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.
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
Details
- Published
- 2007
- Publisher
- University of Toronto Press
- ISBN-13
- 9780802092298
- ISBN-10
- 0802092292
- Pages
- 299
- Language
- EN
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