Speaker: Antonio J. Arraiza-Rivera, Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Wellesley College - Academia.edu

Abstract: »This paper analyzes Antonio de Solís y Rivadeneira’s Hermafrodito y Sálmacis. An example of a fábula mitológica burlesca, Solís’ poem exhibits the well-known characteristics proper to the subgenre of humorous poetry on mythological episodes common in seventeenth-century Spain. However, given its subject (a retelling of the Hermaphroditus and Salmacis story), the work’s explicit acknowledgement of female readers beckons to be read in light of early Modern Spanish lyric’s engagement with discourses on love, consent, and sexual violence. As one of the few myths that depict the attempted rape of a man at the hands of a woman, this paper interrogates Solis’ treatment of the episode and the role accorded to female characters and readers, paying attention to the logic of parodic reversal that accounts for much of the subgenre’s supposed humor.« (Source: Online Program)

Wikipedia: History of Europe: History of Spain / Habsburg Spain | Literature: Spanish literature / Antonio de Solís y Ribadeneyra | Myth: Greek mythology / Hermaphroditus, Salmacis | Sex and the law: Rape / History of rape