"The Three Secular Plays of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz" by Guillermo Schmidhuber brings together three exceptional plays by the renowned Mexican poet and playwright, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. This compilation provides an in-depth exploration of Sor Juana's remarkable talent and showcases her ability to tackle a wide range of themes and convey complex emotions through compelling dialogues and captivating narratives.
The first play, "The Divine Narcissus," takes readers on a spiritual journey through its religious allegory. Sor Juana weaves a tapestry of sin, redemption, and the power of divine love, creating a rich and enchanting world with her poetic language and vivid imagery. The profound exploration of faith and self-discovery makes a lasting impression on the audience.
Moving on to the second play, "Love Is But a Labyrinth," the tone becomes more secular as Sor Juana delves into the complexities of love and relationships. This thought-provoking work presents an insightful portrayal of the human heart, its desires, and the obstacles that impede the pursuit of love and happiness. The play resonates with readers as it explores the intricacies of love in a relatable manner.
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Finally, in "The Second Celestial Rose," Sor Juana combines elements of fantasy and mythology to create a poetic comedy. The play masterfully intertwines Greek and Christian mythologies, resulting in a whimsical and entertaining narrative that examines the nature of love, beauty, and truth. Sor Juana's versatility as a playwright shines through as she infuses the work with humor and wit.
As a whole, "The Three Secular Plays of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz" is a captivating collection that highlights Sor Juana's exceptional skill as a playwright. Schmidhuber's translation effectively captures the essence and beauty of Sor Juana's writing, making it accessible to a wider audience. Whether readers are familiar with Sor Juana's works or discovering them for the first time, this book provides a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the brilliance of one of Mexico's most celebrated literary figures.
What are readers saying?
The book "The Three Secular Plays of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz" by Guillermo Schmidhuber has received a diverse range of feedback from readers. This collection of plays by renowned Mexican poet and playwright Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, translated by Schmidhuber, has been praised for its accessibility and historical context.
Many readers commended the inclusion of three secular plays in this collection, considering it a valuable resource for those interested in delving deeper into Sor Juana's works beyond her poetry. The plays touched upon various themes, showcasing Sor Juana's versatility as a writer. Readers lauded the translator's efforts in preserving the original essence of the plays while making them comprehensible to a wider audience.
However, some readers expressed disappointment with the translation in "The Three Secular Plays of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz," believing it paled in comparison to the beauty and complexity of Sor Juana's original language. They found the translated text to be lackluster and devoid of the poetic richness for which Sor Juana is renowned. Others noted that the translation felt awkward and stilted, making it challenging to fully engage with the plays.
Moreover, certain readers felt let down by the absence of extensive commentary or analysis accompanying the plays. They desired more contextual information to better grasp the historical and cultural significance of Sor Juana's works. Some readers also voiced frustration regarding the book's formatting issues and typos, which hindered their overall reading experience.
Overall, opinions on "The Three Secular Plays of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz" varied among readers. While some appreciated the accessibility and historical context offered by Guillermo Schmidhuber's translation, others believed it failed to capture the beauty and richness of Sor Juana's original language. Furthermore, the lack of extensive commentary and formatting problems were sources of criticism for certain readers. Nevertheless, those with an interest in Sor Juana's plays may still find value in this collection.
SorJuanaPlays SecularDrama LatinxLiterature