Pre-Columbian Theater, Spanish Empire, and Sor Juana: Crash Course Theater #22

Summary

In this episode of Crash Course Theater, Mike Rugnetta explores the early theater of Central America, highlighting the Aztec's religious rituals that were later suppressed by the Spanish colonizers. The video delves into the transformation of theater under Spanish rule, where indigenous people were forced to perform biblical stories and historical pageants. It introduces Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a nun and prolific writer, who is celebrated for her intellectual contributions and her play 'The Loa of the Divine Narcissus,' which subtly critiques colonial rule and pays respect to native cultural practices.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The video discusses the history of theater in the Americas, focusing on the influence of Spanish theater and the role of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a prominent figure in the Spanish Golden Age.
• 📜 Pre-Columbian theater in Central America was closely tied to religious rituals and festivals, often involving costumes, parades, and performances.
• 🌟 The Aztecs performed theatrically during sacrifices and celebrations, such as the festival for the feathered serpent deity Quetzalcoatl, which included comedic skits and dances.
• 🔄 After the Spanish arrival, indigenous theater was suppressed, and performances were used to propagate Spanish religious and imperial ideologies.
• 👩‍💼 Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was a self-educated nun who wrote in multiple genres, including philosophy, theology, and plays, and is considered the first feminist of the Americas.
• 🏆 Mexico City became a theatrical center, establishing a prize for the best Corpus Christi play and fostering professional acting companies.
• 📖 Sor Juana's work, 'The Loa of the Divine Narcissus,' is an allegorical drama that celebrates Christian teachings while also incorporating indigenous cultural practices.
• 💡 The play 'The Loa of the Divine Narcissus' uses indigenous dance and costumes to subtly critique the forced conversion of native peoples and advocate for a more respectful approach.
• 🌐 The video script also mentions the broader context of theater's role in society, including its use for propaganda and the expression of countercultural ideas.
• 🌐 The video concludes by hinting at the next topic, which will explore the theatrical style of kabuki in Japan, suggesting a comparison between different cultural expressions of theater.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme of the video script is the exploration of theater in the Americas, particularly focusing on the influence of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a nun and playwright who brought the Spanish Golden Age to the New World.

How does the script describe the pre-Columbian theater?

The script describes pre-Columbian theater as resembling religious rituals associated with various religious festivals, complete with costumes, parades, and sometimes involving human sacrifice.

What was the role of theater after the Spanish arrival in the Americas?

After the Spanish arrival, theater was used as a tool for forced conversion, with native peoples performing Bible stories and historical pageants that often depicted their own defeat and the triumph of Spanish rule.

Who is Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and why is she significant?

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was a Mexican nun, self-taught scholar, and playwright who is considered the first feminist of the Americas and the last great writer of the Spanish Golden Age. She is significant for her intellectual contributions and her fight for women's rights to education and expression.

What was Sor Juana's response to the bishop's critique of her writing?

Sor Juana responded to the bishop's critique by writing 'Reply to Sister Filotea,' where she defended her right to write and philosophize, citing the example of Saint Teresa and arguing that women's education could be improved if more women were allowed to teach.

What is a 'loa' and how does Sor Juana's 'Loa of the Divine Narcissus' differ from others?

A 'loa' is a short allegorical drama that emphasizes Christian teachings, often associated with the 'altos sacramentales.' Sor Juana's 'Loa of the Divine Narcissus' differs by incorporating indigenous forms of performance and treating native characters with dignity, thus offering a critique of forced conversion and a more respectful approach to native cultures.

How does the script suggest that 'Loa of the Divine Narcissus' critiques colonial rule?

The script suggests that 'Loa of the Divine Narcissus' critiques colonial rule by portraying native characters and rituals with respect and by suggesting that their practices are not as different from Christian rituals as the colonizers claim, thus advocating for a more gentle and understanding approach to conversion.

What is the significance of the indigenous dance 'tokutin' in the script?

The inclusion of the indigenous dance 'tokutin' in the script is significant as it allows for the continuation of native performance styles amidst efforts to suppress them by the colonizers, thus serving as a form of cultural resistance and preservation.

How does the script connect the Aztec rituals to the Christian Eucharist?

The script connects the Aztec rituals, which involved mixing seeds with human blood and shaping it into a statue for consumption, to the Christian Eucharist by highlighting the similarities in the act of consuming a representation of their deities, suggesting a potential bridge between the two practices.

What is the final message of 'Loa of the Divine Narcissus' according to the script?

The final message of 'Loa of the Divine Narcissus' is that Christianity triumphs over native beliefs, but it also emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting native cultures, suggesting a more compassionate approach to conversion and cultural assimilation.