List of Calderón's plays in English translation

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Pedro Calderón de la Barca
George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol
Calderón, Spanish Golden Age playwright; and Digby, his earliest English translator.

Pedro Calderón de la Barca was a Spanish Golden Age playwright who — from the beginning of his theatrical career in the 1620s to his death in 1681 — wrote about 120 comedias and about 80 autos sacramentales.[1] About 40 of these have been translated into English, at least three during Calderón's own lifetime; La vida es sueño (Life is a Dream), "a work many hold to be the supreme example of Spanish Golden Age drama",[2] exists in around 20 English versions.[3]

Early trends in translation

1600s and 1700s: cape and sword

Calderón evidently exerted no direct influence on English playwrights before 1660, although one play by John Fletcher and one by Philip Massinger are probably based to some extent on Spanish originals, and James Shirley's The Young Admiral and The Opportunity are adaptations of plays by Calderón's contemporaries Lope de Vega and Tirso de Molina respectively.[4]

The wild success of Sir Samuel Tuke's The Adventures of Five Hours,[5] a 1663 adaptation of a play by Spanish playwright Antonio Coello, began a fashion for Spanish adaptations on the English Restoration stage. Within 4 years, George Digby had translated 3 comedies by Calderón. After this "bubble" based on Calderón's reputation as a popular playwright, his direct influence vanishes almost entirely from the English stage for over a century.

1800s: the Spanish Shakespeare

John Oxenford
Edward Fitzgerald
Oxenford, earliest credited translator of Life is a Dream into English; and Fitzgerald, popular Victorian translator of eight plays of Calderón.

At the beginning of the 19th century, international interest in Calderón was resurrected by August Schlegel, and English translation resumed. Now, Calderón was more often seen as a philosophical, literary, or religious — rather than a popular — dramatist. The two giants of 19th-century Calderón translation exhibit opposing approaches to the "Spanish Shakepeare". Edward Fitzgerald, turning Calderón into a pseudo-Elizabethan, states:

I do not believe an exact translation of this poet can be very successful… I have, while faithfully trying to retain what was fine and efficient, sunk, reduced, altered, and replaced, much that seemed not…[6]

Denis Florence MacCarthy exhibiting a more formal "bardology" writes:

All the forms of verse have been preserved; while the closeness of the translation may be inferred from the fact, that not only the whole play but every speech and fragment of a speech are represented in English in the exact number of lines of the original, without the sacrifice, it is to be hoped, of one important idea.[7]

It might be said that Fitzgerald's translations were quite English, but not Calderón; while Mac-Carthy's were Calderón, but not quite English.[8]

Other echoes

Besides full translations, Calderón's plays have provided, as it were, raw materials for some English plays (not included in the table below).

Though the ultimate source of John Dryden's An Evening's Love; or, The Mock Astrologer (1668) is Calderón's El Astrologo Fingido, scholars have not determined how much of his writing (if any) is based directly on Calderón, how much on Thomas Corneille's Le Feint Astrologue (a French translation of Calderón's work, which Dryden also acknowledges as a source), and how much on any of several other related French and English sources; whatever the sources, he used them freely, and his entire fifth act is original.[9]

The "high" plot (one of several) in William Wycherley's Love in a Wood (1672) is based on Mañanas de abril y mayo (Mornings of April and May).[10] The basic idea (though not particular scenes) of his Gentleman Dancing-Master (1673) hails from Calderón's El maestro de Danzar.[11] Isaac Bickerstaff writes in 1770 that:

Calderon ... through Molière, Corneille, Le Sage, Boissy, etc. has provided Vanbrugh, Centlivre, Cibber, and Steel [sic], with The Mistake, The False Friend,[12] The Wonder, The Busy Body, The Kind Impostor, The Lady's Philosophy, and The Lying Lover, all English Comedies, which have been received upon the stage with the warmest marks of approbation.[13]

Similarly, John Howard Payne's The Last Duel in Spain (apparently from about 1822-30, and unproduced), although based ultimately on Calderón's El Postrer Duelo de España was probably actually derived from D'Esménard's French prose translation, Le Dernier Duel en Espagne, published in 1822.[14]

Translations

Key

Table

Spanish Title English Title Year Translator Publication Notes
Peor está que estabaWorse and Worse1664?*Digby, Georgenot extantperformed at the Duke's Theatre between 1662 and 1665[15]
Mejor está que estaba'Tis Better than It Was1664?*Digby, Georgenot extantperformed at the Duke's Theatre July 1664[15]
No siempre lo peor es ciertoElvira: or, The Worst is Not Always True1667Digby, Georgefirst performed at Lincoln's Inn Fields November 1664;[15] reprinted in Robert Dodsley's Select Collection of Old Plays Vol 12 on the Internet Archive
La Dama DuendeWoman is a Riddle1718Bullock, Christopher (& others?)Woman is a Riddle on the Internet Archive
El escondido y la tapada'Tis Well It's No Worse1770Bickerstaffe, Isaac'Tis Well It's No Worse on the Internet Archive
Peor está que estabaFrom Bad to Worse1805Holcroft, FannyThe Theatrical Recorder Vol 1. No. 4 (1805) at Google Booksprose
Mejor está que estabaFortune Mends1805Holcroft, FannyThe Theatrical Recorder Vol. 2 No. 8 (1805)prose
La Dama DuendeThe Fairy Lady1807Holland, Lord (anonymously)Three Comedies Translated from the Spanish on the Internet Archiveprose
Nadie fie su secretoKeep Your Own Secret1807Holland, Lord (anonymously)Three Comedies Translated from the Spanish on the Internet Archiveprose
El Magico ProdigiosoThe Wonder-Working Magician (scenes)1824Shelley, Percy BysshePosthumous Poems on the Internet Archiveblank verse; major fragments, comprising much of the main plot; reprinted in The Classic Theatre III: Six Spanish Plays, ed. Eric Bentley (1959)
La Vida es SueñoLife, a Dream1830Cowan, Malcolm (anonymously)
La Vida es SueñoLife is a Dream1842Oxenford, JohnThe Monthly Magazine (Vol XCVI, p. RA1-PA255, at Google Books: Nos DXLIX, DL, DLI)blank verse
El Magico ProdigiosoJustina1848"J. H." (Mac-Carthy, Denis Florence?)Justina: a play on the Internet Archiveverse; retranslated as The Wonder-Working Magician in Calderon’s Dramas (1873)
El pintor de su deshonraThe Painter of His Own Dishonor1853Fitzgerald, EdwardSix Dramas of Calderonblank verse and prose, “freely adapted” ; reprinted in Eight Dramas of Calderon (1906) on the Internet Archive
Nadie fie su secretoKeep Your Own Secret1853Fitzgerald, EdwardSix Dramas of Calderonblank verse and prose, “freely adapted” ; reprinted in Eight Dramas of Calderon (1906) on the Internet Archive
Luis Pérez, el gallegoGil Perez, the Gallician1853Fitzgerald, EdwardSix Dramas of Calderonblank verse and prose, “freely adapted” ; reprinted in Eight Dramas of Calderon (1906) on the Internet Archive
Las tres justicias en unaThree Judgements at a Blow1853Fitzgerald, EdwardSix Dramas of Calderonblank verse and prose, “freely adapted” ; reprinted in Eight Dramas of Calderon (1906) on the Internet Archive
El Alcalde de ZalameaThe Mayor of Zalamea1853Fitzgerald, EdwardSix Dramas of Calderonblank verse and prose, “freely adapted” ; reprinted in Eight Dramas of Calderon (1906) on the Internet Archive
Guárdate del agua mansaBeware of Smooth Water1853Fitzgerald, EdwardSix Dramas of Calderonblank verse and prose, “freely adapted” ; reprinted in Eight Dramas of Calderon (1906) on the Internet Archive
El Principe ConstantThe Constant Prince1853Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceDramas of Calderon, Tragic, Comic, and Legendary, Vol 1 on the Internet Archiveimitative verse; reprinted with revisions by Henry W. Wells in Calderon de la Barca: Six Plays (1961)
El Secreto a VocesThe Secret in Words1853Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceDramas of Calderon, Tragic, Comic, and Legendary, Vol 1 on the Internet Archiveimitative verse
El médico de su honraThe Physician of His Own Honour1853Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceDramas of Calderon, Tragic, Comic, and Legendary, Vol 1 on the Internet Archiveimitative verse
Amar despues de la MuerteLove After Death1853Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceDramas of Calderon, Tragic, Comic, and Legendary, Vol 2 on the Internet Archiveimitative verse; reprinted with revisions by Henry W. Wells in Calderon de la Barca: Six Plays (1961)
El Purgatorio de San PatricioThe Purgatory of St. Patrick1853Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceDramas of Calderon, Tragic, Comic, and Legendary, Vol 2 on the Internet Archiveimitative verse; revised version published in Calderon’s Dramas (1873)
La Banda y la FlorThe Scarf and the Flower1853Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceDramas of Calderon, Tragic, Comic, and Legendary, Vol 2 on the Internet Archiveimitative verse
La Vida es SueñoLife's a Dream (passages)1856Trench, Richard ChenevixLife's a Dream; The Great Theatre of the World on the Internet Archivenot a complete translation, but many significant passages with commentary interspersed
El gran teatro del mundoThe Great Theatre of the World (passages)1856Trench, Richard ChenevixLife's a Dream; The Great Theatre of the World on the Internet Archiveauto; not a complete translation, but many significant passages with commentary interspersed
Los Encantos de la CulpaThe Sorceries of Sin1859Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceThe Atlantis: a Register of Literature and Science Vol II on the Internet Archive pp 277-323auto; imitative verse; bilingual edition; reprinted in Love the Greatest Enchantment, The Sorceries of Sin, The Devotion of the Cross. From the Spanish of Calderon (1861) on the Internet Archive
El Mayor Encanto AmorLove the Greatest Enchantment1861Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceLove the Greatest Enchantment, The Sorceries of Sin, The Devotion of the Cross. From the Spanish of Calderon on the Internet Archiveimitative verse; bilingual edition
La Devoción de la CruzThe Devotion of the Cross1861Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceLove the Greatest Enchantment, The Sorceries of Sin, The Devotion of the Cross. From the Spanish of Calderon on the Internet Archiveimitative verse; bilingual edition; reprinted with revisions by Henry W. Wells in Calderon de la Barca: Six Plays (1961)
El Magico ProdigiosoThe Mighty Magician1865Fitzgerald, EdwardThe Mighty Magician; Such Stuff as Dreams are Made Ofblank verse and prose, “freely adapted”; reprinted in Eight Dramas of Calderon (1906) on the Internet Archive
La Vida es SueñoSuch Stuff as Dreams are Made Of1865Fitzgerald, EdwardThe Mighty Magician; Such Stuff as Dreams are Made Ofblank verse and prose, “freely adapted”; reprinted in Eight Dramas of Calderon (1906) on the Internet Archive
La cena del rey BaltazarBelshazzar’s Feast1867Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceMysteries of Corpus Christi on the Internet Archiveauto; imitative verse; reprinted with revisions by Henry W. Wells in Calderon de la Barca: Six Plays (1961)
La Divina FilotéaThe Divine Philothea1867Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceMysteries of Corpus Christi on the Internet Archiveauto; imitative verse
El Veneno y la TriacaThe Poison and the Antidote (first scene only)1867Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceMysteries of Corpus Christi on the Internet Archiveauto; imitative verse
Los dos amantes del cielo: Crisanto y DariaThe Two Lovers of Heaven: Chysanthus and Daria1869Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceThe Atlantis: a Register of Literature and Science Vol V on the Internet Archive Article II, pp 13-68imitative verse; reprinted in The Two Lovers of Heaven: Chysanthus and Daria. A drama of early Christian Rome (1870) on the Internet Archive
La Vida es SueñoLife Is a Dream1873Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceCalderon’s Dramas on the Internet Archiveimitative verse; reprinted with revisions by Henry W. Wells in Calderon de la Barca: Six Plays (1961)
El Magico ProdigiosoThe Wonder-Working Magician1873Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceCalderon’s Dramas on the Internet Archiveimitative verse; reprinted with revisions by Henry W. Wells in Calderon de la Barca: Six Plays (1961)
El Purgatorio de San PatricioThe Purgatory of St. Patrick (revised)1873Mac-Carthy, Denis FlorenceCalderon’s Dramas on the Internet Archiveimitative verse
El Alcalde de ZalameaNobility; or The Alcalde of Zalamea1885Pierra, Adolfo
El gran príncipe de FezThe Prince of Fez1905Kaenders, PeterThe prince of Fez; a drama in three acts, adapted from Don Calderon de la Barca
La Vida es SueñoLife’s a Dream1925Birch, Frank & J. B. Trendstage version, prose and verse
La cena del rey BaltazarThe Feast of Belshazzar1934Jones, Willis KnappSpanish one act plays in English : a comprehensive anthology of Spanish drama from the 12th century to the presentauto
El desafío de Juan RanaJuan Rana's Duel1934Jones, Willis KnappSpanish one act plays in English : a comprehensive anthology of Spanish drama from the 12th century to the present
El gran teatro del mundoThe Great World-Theatre1955Sipman, Francis E.auto
El gran teatro del mundoThe Great Theatre of the World 1957Graves, John Clarus The Great Theatre of the World; based on a theme from Calderonauto
El gran teatro del mundoThe Great Theatre of the World1957Singleton, Mack HendricksMasterpieces of the Spanish Golden Age, ed. Angel Floresauto
La Vida es SueñoLife is a Dream 1958Colford, William E
El gran teatro del mundoThe Great Theatre of the World1958Graves, Clarus J. & Cuthbert G. SoukupThe Great Theatre of the World: [A Morality Play] Based on a Theme from Calderónauto
Amar despues de la MuerteLove After Death1959Campbell, RoyThe Classic Theatre III: Six Spanish Plays, ed. Eric Bentleyblank verse
La Vida es SueñoLife is a Dream1959Campbell, RoyThe Classic Theatre III: Six Spanish Plays, ed. Eric Bentleyblank verse; reprinted in Life Is A Dream and Other Spanish Classics, ed. Eric Bentley (1985)
El Alcalde de ZalameaThe Mayor of Zalamea 1959Colford, William E
El médico de su honraThe Surgeon of His Honour 1960Campbell, Royblank verse; acting edition
A Secreto Agravio, Secreta VenganzaSecret Vengeance for Secret Insult1961Honig, EdwinCalderon: Four Playsloose syllabic verse; reprinted in Calderón de la Barca: Six Plays (1993) ISBN 1-882763-05-X
La Devoción de la CruzDevotion to the Cross1961Honig, EdwinCalderon: Four Playsloose syllabic verse; reprinted in Calderón de la Barca: Six Plays (1993) ISBN 1-882763-05-X
El Alcalde de ZalameaThe Mayor of Zalamea1961Honig, EdwinCalderon: Four Playsloose syllabic verse; reprinted in Calderón de la Barca: Six Plays (1993) ISBN 1-882763-05-X
La Dama DuendeThe Phantom Lady1961Honig, EdwinCalderon: Four Playsloose syllabic verse; reprinted in Calderón de la Barca: Six Plays (1993) ISBN 1-882763-05-X
La Vida es SueñoLife is a Dream1963Alpern, HymenThree Classic Spanish Plays
El gran teatro del mundoThe Great Stage of the World1964Brandt, George W.The Great Stage of the World: An Allegorical Auto Sacramental in Three Acts/Gran teatro del mundoauto
La Vida es SueñoLife is a Dream1968Raine, Kathleen & R. M. Nadal Life is a Dream ISBN 978-0241015490verse
La cena del rey BaltazarKing Belshazzar's Feast1969Barnes, R. G.Three Spanish Sacramental Plays ISBN 978-0951440308auto
La Vida es SueñoLife is a Dream1970Honig, EdwinLife is a Dream ISBN 0-8090-6556-8loose syllabic verse; reprinted in Calderón de la Barca: Six Plays (1993) ISBN 1-882763-05-X
El astrólogo fingidoThe Fake Astrologer1976Oppenheimer, Max, Jr.The Fake Astrologer ISBN 978-0820421667reprinted in Pedro Calderón de la Barca's The Fake Astrologer: A Critical Spanish Text and English Translation (1994)
Peor está que estabaFrom Bad to Worse1980Muir, KennethFour Comedies by Pedro Calderón de la Barca ISBN 0-8131-1409-8blank verse and prose
El secreto a vocesThe Secret Spoken Aloud1980Muir, KennethFour Comedies by Pedro Calderón de la Barca ISBN 0-8131-1409-8blank verse and prose
No siempre lo peor es ciertoThe Worst is not Always Certain1980Muir, KennethFour Comedies by Pedro Calderón de la Barca ISBN 0-8131-1409-8blank verse and prose
Dicha y desdicha del nombreThe Advantages and Disadvantages of a Name1980Muir, KennethFour Comedies by Pedro Calderón de la Barca ISBN 0-8131-1409-8blank verse and prose
El Magico ProdigiosoThe Prodigious Magician1982Wardropper, Bruce W.The Prodigious Magician ISBN 978-8473171113prose; bilingual edition
Guárdate del agua mansaBeware of Still Waters1984Gitlitz, David M.Beware of Still Waters ISBN 978-0939980048bilingual edition
Casa con dos puertas mala es de guardarA House With Two Doors Is Difficult to Guard1985Muir, Kenneth & Ann L. MackenzieCalderón: Three Comedies ISBN 0-8131-1546-9blank verse and prose
Mañanas de abril y mayoMornings of April and May1985Muir, Kenneth & Ann L. MackenzieCalderón: Three Comedies ISBN 0-8131-1546-9blank verse and prose
No hay burlas con el amorNo Trifling With Love1985Muir, Kenneth & Ann L. MackenzieCalderón: Three Comedies ISBN 0-8131-1546-9blank verse and prose
No hay burlas con el amorLove is no laughing matter1986Cruickshank, Don & Sean PageLove is no laughing matter ISBN 978-0856683664
El pintor de su deshonraThe Painter of His Dishonour1989Paterson, A. K. G.The Painter of His Dishonour ISBN 978-0856683466
El Alcalde de ZalameaThe Mayor of Zalamea1990Mitchell, AdrianThree Plays ISBN 978-0948230264verse, from literal translations by Gwenda Pandolfi
El gran teatro del mundoThe Great Theatre of the World1990Mitchell, AdrianThree Plays ISBN 978-0948230264auto; verse, from literal translations by Gwenda Pandolfi
La Vida es SueñoLife’s a Dream1990Mitchell, Adrian & John BartonThree Plays ISBN 978-0948230264verse, from literal translations by Gwenda Pandolfi
La cisma de InglaterraThe Schism in England1990Muir, Kenneth & Ann L. MackenzieThe Schism in England ISBN 0-85668-331-0blank verse; bilingual edition
El médico de su honraThe Surgeon of Honour1991Edwards, GwynneCalderón: Plays: One ISBN 978-0413634603
La Vida es SueñoLife is a dream1991Edwards, GwynneCalderón: Plays: One ISBN 978-0413634603
Las tres justicias en unaThree Judgments in One1991Edwards, GwynneCalderón: Plays: One ISBN 978-0413634603
El pintor de su deshonraThe Painter of His Own Dishonor1991Paterson, A. K. G.The Painter of His Own Dishonor ISBN 9780856683473bilingual edition
Los Cabellos de AbsalónThe Crown of Absalom1993Honig, EdwinCalderón de la Barca: Six Plays ISBN 1-882763-05-Xloose syllabic verse
El pintor de su deshonraThe Painter of Dishonour1995Johnston, David & Laurence BoswellThe Painter of Dishonour ISBN 978-0948230882
El médico de su honraThe Physician of His Honour1997Hindley, DonaldThe Physician of His Honour ISBN 9780856687778bilingual edition; revised translation published in 2007
La Vida es SueñoLife is a Dream1998Clifford, John
Sueños hay que verdad sonSometimes Dreams Come True1998McGaha, MichaelThe Story of Joseph in Spanish Golden Age Drama ISBN 978-0838753804auto
La vida es sueño Life Is a Dream 2002 Applebaum, Stanley Life Is a Dream ISBN 978-0486421247
La Vida es SueñoLife's a Dream2004Kidd, MichaelLife's a Dream ISBN 9780856688966
La Vida es SueñoLife is a Dream2006Racz, Gregary J.Life is a Dream ISBN 978-0-14-310482-7imitative verse
La Vida es SueñoLife's a Dream2008Davis, RickCalderón De La Barca, Four Great Plays of the Golden Age ISBN 978-1575255965
La Dama DuendeThe Phantom Lady2008Davis, RickCalderón De La Barca, Four Great Plays of the Golden Age ISBN 978-1575255965
El Príncipe ConstanteThe Constant Prince2008Davis, RickCalderón De La Barca, Four Great Plays of the Golden Age ISBN 978-1575255965
El gran teatro del mundoThe Great Theatre of the World2008Davis, RickCalderón De La Barca, Four Great Plays of the Golden Age ISBN 978-1575255965auto
La vida es sueño Life Is a Dream 2009 Cruz, Nilo Life is a Dream ISBN 978-0822222347 acting edition
La Vida es SueñoLife is a Dream2010Edmundson, HelenLife is a Dream ISBN 978-1848420601
No hay burlas con el amor The Phoenix of Madrid 2012 Boswell, Laurence The Phoenix of Madrid ISBN 978-1849431347
El mayor monstruo los celosJealousy the Greatest Monster2014Muir, Kenneth & Ann L. Mackenzie & José María Ruano de la HazaJealousy the Greatest Monster ISBN 9780856683695bilingual edition

Notes

  1. ↑ Racz 2006, p i.
  2. ↑ Racz 2006, p viii.
  3. ↑ Racz 2006, p xxv.
  4. ↑ Riera 2009, p 44.
  5. ↑ Based on Los Empenos de seis horas, at the time often wrongly ascribed to Calderón.
  6. ↑ Fitzgerald 1906, pp 1-2.
  7. ↑ Mac-Carthy 1873, pp vii-viii.
  8. ↑ For example, Eric Bentley criticizes Mac-Carthy's "(luckily) inimitable Hispano-English" saying "[i]n trying to reproduce the sound of the Spanish, he effectively prevented himself from writing English", but equally that Fitzgerald "went to the other extreme of excessive freedom." (Bentley 1959, pp 458, vii)
  9. ↑ Riera 2009, pp 73-74.
  10. ↑ Holland 1981, p 3.
  11. ↑ Holland 1981, p 117.
  12. ↑ In fact, John Vanbrugh's The False Friend is based on Francisco de Rojas Zorrilla's La traición busca el castigo.
  13. ↑ Bickerstaff 1770, p. vi.
  14. ↑ Payne 1940, p 3.
  15. 1 2 3 Riera 2009, pp 76-77.

References

External links

Online bibliography
Additional translated texts available online
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/29/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.