Description
He who walks badly, ends badly
Book Summary
This play by Juan Ruiz de Alarcón narrates the story of Román Ramírez, a Moriscan imprisoned by the Spanish Inquisition and subjected to an extensive judicial process. The piece is notable for its unique dramatic structure and innovative versification, featuring a predominant use of redondillas, which is uncommon in Spanish Baroque theater. The reader will find a comedy of great literary value, combining a profound dramatic sense with careful poetic elaboration, offering a unique vision of Golden Age Spain.
What is it about?
The work focuses on the character of Román Ramírez, a Moriscan who faces a long and complex trial before the Inquisition. Through this conflict, Ruiz de Alarcón explores the social and religious tensions of his time, using theatrical devices unusual for the period. The plot unfolds with a notable command of dramatic sense and a versification that prioritizes redondillas, which gives it a particular rhythm and distinguishes it from other Baroque comedies. The edition is based on the version established by Eugenio Hartzenbusch in 1852, considered the most reliable text.
Main Themes
- The conflict between the individual and the institutions of power, represented by the Inquisition.
- Identity and social marginalization in Golden Age Spain, through the figure of the Moriscan.
- Formal innovation in Baroque theater, with prominent use of redondillas and a careful dramatic structure.
- Justice and the judicial process as the driving force of narrative tension.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and scholars of Spanish Golden Age literature, as well as readers interested in classical theater and works that address themes of identity, power, and justice from a historical perspective. It will also be of interest to those who wish to discover a less conventional facet of Juan Ruiz de Alarcón's production, far from his more well-known comedies.
What this book offers
- Access to a lesser-known work by Juan Ruiz de Alarcón, with an edition based on the reference text by Eugenio Hartzenbusch.
- An example of formal experimentation in Baroque theater, with innovative use of versification and dramatic structure.
- A unique perspective on the Inquisition and the situation of the Moriscans in 17th-century Spain, treated through theatrical fiction.
- The opportunity to discover a comedy that has been the subject of critical debate, as it is considered by some specialists to be a collaborative work.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Ruiz de Alarcón, Juan
- Publisher: Linkgua Ediciones
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Classical texts, Plays, Theatrical texts
- Collection: Theater
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: September 2008
- Number of pages: 134
- Weight: 164 g
Editorial Assessment
This edition of "Quien mal anda en mal acaba" is relevant for the specialized reader because it recovers a less frequently read work by Ruiz de Alarcón, which stands out for its formal particularities within Baroque theater. The inclusion of the Hartzenbusch version and the critical debate regarding its authorship add layers of interest for those seeking a deeper knowledge of the playwright and his context. It is a recommended acquisition to complete collections of classical Spanish theater or for research on metric and thematic innovation in the Golden Age.