Violence and Versification in «Renegado, rey y mártir» by Cristóbal de Morales

Abstract

A current tendency in Spanish Golden Age theatre studies is dramatic segmentation. In this sense, we must emphasize Marc Vitseʼs methodology, which suggests structuring the play according to the versification changes. We are going to put into practice this theory with a work by an unknown playwright: Renegado, rey y mártir by Cristóbal de Morales. We will verify that versification does actually help when dividing and hierarchising the different moments of the play. At Renegado, rey y mártir violence is important due to the fact that it causes the strophic changes and structures the plot.