Lo trágico y lo cómico mezclado: De mezclas y mixturas en el teatro del Siglo de Oro

Abstract

This article begins with an analysis of verses 174-80 of the Arte nuevo de hacer comedias by Lope in order to investigate the combination of comedy and tragedy, with an aim to define what has been called tragicomedy or Spanish tragedy. The author tries to establish the differences between tragedy and comedy following the axioms of classical preceptive. He agrees with Cascales that it is not possible to achieve a homogeneous mixture between tragedy and comedy because comedy produces laughter and tragedy commiseration. It is also true that there are comical elements in Spanish tragedy essentially developed by the gracioso. This circumstance provokes an exploration of graciosos' roles in tragedy. Finally, the author reaches the conclusion that there is a very important separation between tragedy and comedy manifested by the exclusion of comical elements in the tragic schemes. These comical elements respond to the audience' expectations.