The Art of Humour in the Teatro Breve and Comedias of Calderón de la Barca

Parody, satire and a number of other comic techniques are shown to play an unsuspected but integral part in Calderon's work. Contrary to popular belief, Pedro Calderón de la Barca had a sense of humour. This book examines the integral and often essential use of humour in his works, looking beyond his persistent reputation as a dour and dogmatic representative of the Spanish canon. Calderón's teatro breve (featuring mojigangas, entremeses and jácaras ) thrives on comic techniques and situations t