Lenguaje y metateatralidad en Las aventureras de la corte de Alonso Jerónimo de Salas Barbadillo

Published in Fiestas de la boda de la incasable malcasada (Madrid: Viuda de Cosme Delgado, a costa de Andrés de Carrasquilla, 1622) by Alonso Jerónimo de Salas Barbadillo, the «entremés» Las aventureras de la corte is one of the «comedias domésticas» included in the festivities organised by don Luis to celebrate the marriage of the «unmarriageable» doña Dorotea and don Sebastián. The play follows Marcio, an old father who moves to Madrid aiming to secure wealth and status through the beauty and intelligence of his daughters. In this short drama, Salas showcases his skill in constructing multiple dramatic levels and in the linguistic characterisation of his characters, who become vivid portrayals of the vibrant courtly life of the time. This essay explores some of the key aspects of the «entremés», including the depiction of the urban setting and its connection to the dramatis personae, the use of language and the concept of «theatre within the theatre».