The story of Joseph in Spanish golden qge drama
By: selected, translated, and introduced by Michael McGaha.
Contributors: McGaha, Michael D.
Publisher: Bucknell University Press; Associated University Presses; UNKNO
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Lewisburg [Pa]; London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 341
Subjects: Joseph -- (Son of Jacob) -- Drama.; Spanish drama -- Classical period, 1500-1700.
Description: This book includes critical studies and English translations of six different dramatic versions of the biblical story of Joseph and his brothers written during the century and a half from about 1535 to 1685 - that is, from the earliest attempts at full-length drama to the end of the classical period, which is usually dated around the year of Calderon de la Barca's death in 1681.

Three of the plays are full-length dramas, while the rest belong to the peculiarly Spanish genre of one-act religious plays known as autos sacramentales. Comparison of these six variations on a theme enhances our understanding of the gradual evolution of both the auto and the comedia (full-length) genres during the Golden Age.

In addition to the biblical story, Spanish playwrights drew upon a rich tradition of retellings of the Joseph story written during the Middle Ages by Muslim, Jewish, and Christian Spaniards. Each of these ethnic and religious groups developed new interpretations of the story dictated by the historical circumstances of a particular time and place, yet each was influenced by the versions created by the others.

Ultimately, this grudging collaboration produced a uniquely "multicultural" version of the story.
Notes: Bibliography: p334-336.  Includes index.
Table of contents: title: Contents: The Josephine tragedy / Miguel de Carvajal; title: Joseph's wedding / anonymous; title: The trials of Jacob, or, Sometimes dreams come true / Lope de Vega; title: Sometimes dreams come true / Pedro Calderón de la Barca; title: Joseph's scepter / Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz; title: Harassed but happy / Isaac de Matatia Aboab; title: Appendix : Speculum historale / Vincent of Beauvais.