Entremés

Definition

An entremés is a short comedic play or interlude that was typically performed between the acts of a larger theatrical work in Spain during the Golden Age. These performances often featured humorous sketches, satirical elements, and characters drawn from everyday life, making them accessible and entertaining for a wide audience. The entremés served to lighten the mood and provide a contrast to more serious themes presented in full-length plays.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Entremeses were often performed in corrales, which were lively public spaces where audiences gathered to enjoy various forms of entertainment.
2. The popularity of entremés grew alongside the development of Spanish comedia, as they complemented full-length plays by providing comic relief.
3. Many famous playwrights, including Lope de Vega and Cervantes, contributed to the entremés genre, showcasing their wit and humor.
4. Entremés performances typically included exaggerated characters and situations that resonated with common people, making them relatable and enjoyable.
5. The influence of entremés can be seen in later forms of theatrical comedy, as they paved the way for more structured comic plays in European theatre.

Review Questions

• How did entremés function within the context of Spanish theatre during the Golden Age?
  • Entremés played a vital role in Spanish theatre by acting as short comedic interludes that were performed between acts of longer plays. They provided audiences with comic relief from the more serious themes presented in full-length dramas. By incorporating relatable characters and humorous situations, entremés made theatre accessible to a broader audience and enhanced the overall theatrical experience.
• Discuss the relationship between entremés and auto sacramental in terms of their themes and audience appeal.
  • While both entremés and auto sacramental were performed during Spain's Golden Age, they catered to different aspects of audience engagement. Auto sacramental focused on religious themes, particularly around the Eucharist, appealing to the spiritual side of audiences. In contrast, entremés emphasized humor and everyday life, providing entertainment that was light-hearted. This contrast allowed theatre companies to draw diverse crowds who appreciated both sacred narratives and comedic interludes.
• Evaluate the impact of entremés on the evolution of Spanish theatre and its lasting influence on European comedy.
  • Entremés significantly influenced the evolution of Spanish theatre by introducing humor and satire into performances, enhancing audience engagement. As playwrights like Lope de Vega created witty sketches that resonated with common people, they helped shape the trajectory of theatrical comedy in Europe. The structural elements found in entremés laid groundwork for later comedic forms, such as farce and situational comedy, demonstrating their enduring legacy within the theatrical tradition.

Related terms

auto sacramental: A type of one-act play that presents a religious theme, often related to the Eucharist, and was commonly performed in Spain, particularly during the Golden Age.

comedia: A genre of Spanish theatre that encompasses a range of dramatic works, including comedies and tragedies, often focusing on the complexities of human behavior and social issues.

corrales: The open-air theatres in which Spanish plays were performed during the Golden Age, providing a space for both serious dramas and lighter interludes like entremés.