Entremés

Definition

An entremés is a short, comedic play or interlude that was performed between the acts of a longer theatrical work, primarily popular during the Spanish Golden Age in the 16th and 17th centuries. These interludes often featured humorous themes, satirical commentary, and lively characters, serving to entertain and engage the audience while providing a contrast to the main performance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Entremeses were typically performed in front of a live audience in theaters or at court events, allowing for immediate audience reactions.
2. They often included stock characters, such as the clever servant or the foolish old man, which made them relatable and entertaining.
3. The themes of entremés often revolved around love, social class struggles, and the absurdities of everyday life.
4. Famous playwrights like Lope de Vega contributed significantly to the popularity of entremeses by integrating them into their larger works.
5. As time went on, entremeses evolved into standalone performances and influenced later theatrical forms, including modern-day sketches and vaudeville.

Review Questions

• How did the structure and content of entremés contribute to the overall experience of a theatrical performance during the Spanish Golden Age?
  • The entremés played an important role in enhancing the theatrical experience during the Spanish Golden Age by providing comic relief between acts of longer plays. Its light-hearted content, featuring humor and relatable characters, served to engage audiences while allowing them to reflect on the themes presented in the main performance. By breaking up more serious narratives with entertaining interludes, entremeses ensured that audiences remained captivated throughout the entire show.
• In what ways did playwrights like Lope de Vega influence the development and popularity of entremés within Spanish theatre?
  • Playwrights such as Lope de Vega were instrumental in popularizing entremés by incorporating these comedic interludes into their larger plays. Their works often featured entremeses that mirrored societal issues and showcased relatable characters, which resonated with audiences. By seamlessly blending humor with social commentary, these playwrights elevated the status of entremés and solidified its place as an essential aspect of Spanish theatre during this period.
• Evaluate how the evolution of entremés reflects broader changes in Spanish theatre from the 16th to 17th centuries.
  • The evolution of entremés reflects significant changes in Spanish theatre from the 16th to 17th centuries, particularly in its shift from being simple comedic interludes to more complex standalone performances. As audiences' tastes evolved, so did the content and form of entremés, incorporating deeper themes and more intricate character development. This transition showcases how Spanish theatre responded to cultural shifts and increased appreciation for diverse theatrical forms, ultimately paving the way for new genres such as zarzuela while influencing future comedic styles in Western theatre.

Related terms

comedia: A type of Spanish play that typically combines elements of tragedy and comedy, often reflecting social themes and the complexities of human nature.

zarzuela: A Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, often incorporating elements of comedy, romance, and folklore.

jácara: A lively Spanish musical form that often accompanied entremeses, characterized by its humorous lyrics and energetic rhythms.