Analyse article by Roberto Gonzalez Echeverria - Essay Example

Spanish Literature 30 March Analysis of the Article Mixed Up Monsters by Roberto Gonzalez Echevarria Key Words Monster: a monster is a beast and under the context of this article the word monster is a symbolic representation of the beastly side of human natureDeformity: any form of abnormality or malfunctioning attributes as a deformity. (108)Confinement: any form of imprisonment either physical or emotional is known as confinement. (110) 2. Summary Echevarria in his article reiterates that in the works of Calderon the symbol of a monster is a recurring and a common symbol although it is extensively used and specifically eminent in the play “Life as a Dream”.

Moreover the author of the article explores the various interpretations and meanings in which Calderon incorporates this symbol in his plays. While exploring various interpretations of this symbol he also makes reference to the works of other writers to present his personal understanding such as the example of Oedipus and Dawn in Copacabana but fundamentally he quotes the characters of Calderon such as Rosaura, Segismundo and Basilio.3. Analysis A very comprehensive and an important philosophy that Echevarria illustrates in the very beginning of the article is that human and monster are two flip sides of a same coin and in his play Calderon also uses the symbol of a monster under the same context.

However the author also states that it solely depends on an individual the manner in which he sets the pattern of his life as it also apparent from the character of Segismundo. Hence it is observed in the play that initially Calderon portrays him as a monster and an animal disguised as a human being however later he realizes his mistakes and makes efforts to avoid such animalistic behavior in future. Moreover Segismundo’s imprisonment is also a figurative representation of the fact that inside every human being there lives a beast however it depends on an individual to curb and control or unleash it.

Another pertinent and an interesting fact that the author demonstrates is that any form of abnormality or unusual personality traits also hold the tendency to categorize an individual as a monster as it is also observed in the case of Rosaura. Her character is portrayed as a female with masculine attributes such as strength and determination. Such unusual characteristics make her look like a monster or a beast in the eyes of the society because her unusual personality goes against the strictures and conventions.

Hence in other words Echeverria establishes that monster is a vast term that has layers of meaning one of which is the unconventional behavior of an individual. Hence it is observed that the author provides the readers with a very apt explanation of the symbol of the monster and hence helps in adding new dimension to the context of Calderon’s play. Moreover Echevarria also strives to convince the readers that the term monster in literature not only implies a beast in the physical terms but also any deformity or unusual characteristic traits can also be classified as monstrous or beastly.

Reference:Echevarria Gonzalez Roberto. Celestina’s Brood: Continuities of Baroque in Spanish and Latin American Literatures. North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1993. Print.