Spanish Theatre and Performance
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course focuses on the rich theatrical heritage of the Spanish language, with an emphasis on a particular period or theme. As well as exploring the evolution of theatrical production within a given period or theme, considerable attention will be paid to specific aspects of theatrical practice, such as staging, the dichotomy between scenic and dramatic space, and its commercial dimension. The course also introduces the specialised vocabulary of theatre studies, includes the viewing of sequences from major productions, and analyses adaptations of plays into other media. In addition, excursions are organised throughout the academic year to attend current theatre performances, even if they are not directly related to the topics covered. A good knowledge of Spanish is required, as the course is taught entirely in Spanish and translations of the texts studied or the critical bibliography are not always available.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: Students will have an understanding of the main lines of development in the history of Spanish theatre during the period covered by the course. They will also have read some of the most important works of the period and, where possible, watched recordings of theatre productions and adaptations of these works in other media (mainly film and television).
Skills: Students will develop the ability to situate authors, movements and key works of the period studied within their historical and social contexts. They will be able to highlight similarities and differences between the texts studied, identifying the most significant features of each. Students will be able to use the specialised vocabulary of theatre studies and analyse a theatre production or an adaptation in other media, appreciating the unique aspects of each expressive language. They will also be able to recognise the potential ethical value of theatrical works and their ability to engage and interact with audiences (both spectators and readers).
Skills: Students will develop the ability to situate authors, movements and key works of the period studied within their historical and social contexts. They will be able to highlight similarities and differences between the texts studied, identifying the most significant features of each. Students will be able to use the specialised vocabulary of theatre studies and analyse a theatre production or an adaptation in other media, appreciating the unique aspects of each expressive language. They will also be able to recognise the potential ethical value of theatrical works and their ability to engage and interact with audiences (both spectators and readers).
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is divided into three units, all focusing on the practice of "rewriting," with the dramaturgy of myths and historical events, but also with the remediation of drama by cinema.
In the first unit, "From Myth to Theater," we will study a few 20th-century interpretations of some of the most famous female figures in classical mythology. In particular, we will read "Electra" by Benito Pérez Galdós (1901), "Fedra" by Miguel de Unamuno (1910), "La tejedora de sueños" (1952) by Antonio Buero Vallejo, centred on Penelope, and "Antígona" by Trinidad Morgades Besari (1991), a writer from Equatorial Guinea. After reviewing the characteristics of those myths and their influence in Western theatre, the selected works will be studied, observing not only the degree of adherence to classical tradition, but also the dramaturgical strategies employed to speak to the present day.
In the second unit, "From History to Theatre", we will analyse some recent and contemporary Spanish plays that revolve around a historical event or character, offering a critical view of Spanish history or a personal interpretation of the events portrayed on stage. The works studied will be "El tragaluz" (1967) by Antonio Buero Vallejo, a reinterpretation of the trauma of the Civil War and a hopeful announcement of a regenerating future; "Guernica" (1969) by Jerónimo López Mozo, an evocation of the bombing of the Basque town that inspired Picasso's masterpiece; "Presas" (2007) by Ignacio del Moral and Verónica Fernández, focusing on the imprisonment of a group of women during the harshest years of Franco's dictatorship; and finally "Ana once de marzo" (2011) by Paloma Pedrero, inspired by the terrorist attacks in Madrid on March 11, 2004.
In the third unit of the course, "Lorca from theatre to cinema", students will read the texts of Lorca's trilogy, namely "Bodas de sangre", "Yerma" and "La casa de Bernarda Alba", which will be studied in relation to some well-known adaptations. The films "Bodas de sangre" (Carlos Saura, 1981), "La casa de Bernarda Alba" (Mario Camus, 1987), "La novia" (Paula Ortiz, 2015), and "Barren" (Ruiz Barrachina, 2017), shall be viewed, analyzed in terms of their essential characteristics, and discussed in relation to the works that inspired them.
In the first unit, "From Myth to Theater," we will study a few 20th-century interpretations of some of the most famous female figures in classical mythology. In particular, we will read "Electra" by Benito Pérez Galdós (1901), "Fedra" by Miguel de Unamuno (1910), "La tejedora de sueños" (1952) by Antonio Buero Vallejo, centred on Penelope, and "Antígona" by Trinidad Morgades Besari (1991), a writer from Equatorial Guinea. After reviewing the characteristics of those myths and their influence in Western theatre, the selected works will be studied, observing not only the degree of adherence to classical tradition, but also the dramaturgical strategies employed to speak to the present day.
In the second unit, "From History to Theatre", we will analyse some recent and contemporary Spanish plays that revolve around a historical event or character, offering a critical view of Spanish history or a personal interpretation of the events portrayed on stage. The works studied will be "El tragaluz" (1967) by Antonio Buero Vallejo, a reinterpretation of the trauma of the Civil War and a hopeful announcement of a regenerating future; "Guernica" (1969) by Jerónimo López Mozo, an evocation of the bombing of the Basque town that inspired Picasso's masterpiece; "Presas" (2007) by Ignacio del Moral and Verónica Fernández, focusing on the imprisonment of a group of women during the harshest years of Franco's dictatorship; and finally "Ana once de marzo" (2011) by Paloma Pedrero, inspired by the terrorist attacks in Madrid on March 11, 2004.
In the third unit of the course, "Lorca from theatre to cinema", students will read the texts of Lorca's trilogy, namely "Bodas de sangre", "Yerma" and "La casa de Bernarda Alba", which will be studied in relation to some well-known adaptations. The films "Bodas de sangre" (Carlos Saura, 1981), "La casa de Bernarda Alba" (Mario Camus, 1987), "La novia" (Paula Ortiz, 2015), and "Barren" (Ruiz Barrachina, 2017), shall be viewed, analyzed in terms of their essential characteristics, and discussed in relation to the works that inspired them.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, held entirely in Spanish, and the syllabus require solid linguistic skills. The works to be read and the critical bibliography are almost entirely in Spanish, with a few cases of available Italian translations. Incoming students can attend the course, but they should have a good level of Spanish.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures; group reading and commentary of excerpts from the works studied; critical viewing of documentaries, videoclips of stagings, and movies or works in other media.
Teaching Resources
The course has a website on MyAriel (https://myariel.unimi.it/course/view.php?id=8573), where students will find texts and critical studies provided by the teacher. For each course unit, specific essays on individual works or authors or on general questions will be made available.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of an interview in Spanish, in which both theoretical knowledge and the ability to analyse the texts proposed and commented on during the course will be assessed. The duration of the interview depends on the amount of credits the student needs to acquire. The interview will be held in Spanish.
Students interested in acquiring 9 credits will prepare all the units of the syllabus; conversely, students interested in obtaining just 6 credits will prepare the first and the third units.
The evaluation will focus on the knowledge of the texts and films listed in the syllabus, the ability to connect the authors and the works studied in their context, the ability to independently develop judgments and interpretations of the texts analyzed and to apply the theories presented in the critical bibliography, the correct use of terminology and, at least in part, also the ease of expression in Spanish.
The final grade is expressed on a scale 0-30, with a minimum of 18 as a pass. Students can reject the final grade and take the exam in another date.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in connection with the competent office.
This syllabus is valid until September 2026. Starting from December 2026, the only proper syllabus will correspond to the academic year 2026-27.
Students interested in acquiring 9 credits will prepare all the units of the syllabus; conversely, students interested in obtaining just 6 credits will prepare the first and the third units.
The evaluation will focus on the knowledge of the texts and films listed in the syllabus, the ability to connect the authors and the works studied in their context, the ability to independently develop judgments and interpretations of the texts analyzed and to apply the theories presented in the critical bibliography, the correct use of terminology and, at least in part, also the ease of expression in Spanish.
The final grade is expressed on a scale 0-30, with a minimum of 18 as a pass. Students can reject the final grade and take the exam in another date.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher promptly. The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in connection with the competent office.
This syllabus is valid until September 2026. Starting from December 2026, the only proper syllabus will correspond to the academic year 2026-27.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-LIN/05 - SPANISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
It is possible to meet the teacher both in person and through Teams; students should schedule an appointment in advance via e-mail.
In person: the teacher room is located in Piazza S. Alessandro 1, Iberistica (third floor). Through Teams: direct remote calls