SPAN 300 7 - Sorcerers and Witches in Spanish Literature

This course will focus on the representation of sorcerers and witches in early modern Spanish literature during the 16th and 17th centuries. It will take into account the historical, social and religious context in which they were produced. Some of the questions that will be addressed are: Where do these characters come from? Why are they often portrayed as women? Why are they so appealing to writers and their audiences? What do they represent? Works to be studied include, but are not limited to: La Celestina, by Fernando de Rojas; El Coloquio de los perros, by Miguel de Cervantes; El caballero de Olmedo, by Lope de Vega; Amazonas en las Indias, by Tirso de Molina; El mayor encanto amor, by Calderón de la Barca; La fuerza del amor, by María de Zayas; El Conde Partinuplés, by Ana Caro; and Entremés famoso de las brujas, by Agustín Moreto. These texts will be complemented by secondary sources, including works of art, historical documents, as well as films and other forms of modern media. The course will be taught in Spanish. Prerequisite: Any three of SPAN 226, 250, 310, or 350 or permission of instructor.