Author: -

Abstract: »The Renaissance of the 16th to 17th centuries was a period of creative and literary advancement in both England and Spain. This study analyzes the different approaches to theatre plays in each country, notably highlighting the Spanish playwrights' and audience's evident rejection of the tragedy genre, in contrast to the English's acceptance of it. My analysis focuses on how each nation commonly portrayed the rape plot, in which a woman was permanently robbed of her feminine honor, or honra. I first revise the cultural and legislative context behind the crime of rape, and then I examine its presence in English revenge tragedies by the likes of Shakespeare and Middleton and in Spanish honor plays by Vega and Calderón de la Barca. The conclusion I have reached is that throughout the Golden Age of creative invention, the rape of women was equally utilized by the playwrights of both England and Spain to create conflict for their male characters, but Spanish plays were more compassionate and progressive in their depictions.« (Source: Thesis)

Contents:

	Abstract (p. 3)
	Resumen (p. 3)
	Introduction (p. 5)
	1. Honor of Women in the Golden Age in Spain and England (p. 7)
	2. Characteristics and Structure of Honor and Revenge Plays (p. 12)
	3. Women’s Honor in English Revenge Plays (p. 16)
		3.1. Titus Andronicus (p. 16)
			3.1.1. Lavinia’s Rape (p. 16)
			3.1.2. Treatment by the Narrative (p. 17)
			3.1.3. Resolution (p. 19)
		3.2. The Changeling (p. 22)
			3.2.1. Beatrice-Joanna’s Rape (p. 22)
			3.2.2. Treatment by the Narrative (p. 23)
			3.2.3. Resolution (p. 28)
	4. Women’s Honra in Spanish Honor Plays (p. 28)
		4.1. Fuenteovejuna (p. 28)
			4.1.1. Laurencia’s Rape (p. 28)
			4.1.2. Treatment by the Narrative (p. 29)
			4.1.3. Resolution (p. 31)
		4.2. The Mayor of Zalamea (p. 35)
			4.2.1. Isabel’s Rape (p. 35)
			4.2.2. Treatment by the Narrative (p. 37)
			4.2.3. Resolution (p. 39)
	Conclusion (p. 44)
	Works Cited (p. 46)

Wikipedia: History of Europe: History of England / Elizabethan era, Stuart period | History of Europe: History of Spain / Habsburg Spain | Literature: English literature / Thomas Middleton, William Rowley, William Shakespeare | Literature: Spanish literature / Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Lope de Vega | Literature: Plays about rape / Titus Andronicus, The Changelingy (play), Fuenteovejuna, The Mayor of Zalamea | Sex and the law: Rape / History of rape