In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

position of subordination causing her to react to the extreme of refusing to learn or to be taught anything by anyone. It may be assumed that the re-action took effect in her early childhood else she would not be exposed to learning her abcs when we meet her. There are numerous similar examples in the literature of psychology that could be cited in support of our interpretation of Finea. A brief and easily accessible discussion can be found, for example, in Maslow and Mittelmann's Principles of Abnormal Psychology (New York, Harper, 1941) in the sub-chapter entitled "Stupidity: Pseudofeeble -mindedness," pp. 542-46. In explanation of the rapid development of Finea's intelligence Lope, through Laurencio , invokes the authority of Plato and Aristotle. It is an overt announcement oí the thesis that he presents in his play: Amor, señores, ha sido aquel ingenio profunda, que llaman alma del mundo, ye es el dotor que ha tenido la cátedra de las ciencias, porque sólo con amor aprende un hombre mejor sus divinas diferencias. Ansí lo sintió Platón, esto Aristóteles dijo; que como del cielo es hijo es todo contemplación. Della nació el admirarse, del admirarse nació el filosofar, que dio luz con que pueda fundarse. Todo es ciencia artificial y a amor se ha de agradecer; que el deseo de saber es al hombre natural. No dudo ya que a Finea, como él la comience a amar, le deje amor de enseñar, por imposible que sea.1 Act II, sc. I Laurencio's affectionate treatment of the girl does, in fact, have the effect of eliminating the depressants that had originally induced the deficiency, an achievement that confirms our contention that she is not really feebleminded at all but rather psychopathic. His method (or variations of it) is a common procedure in dealing with individuals of this type (see Maslow and Mittelmann, op. cit. p. 544). Finally, when Finea 'plays dumb' in order not to be obliged to marry Liseo and thereby lose Laurencio, she makes use of a ruse which can be labelled 'defensive stupidity.'2 This is more widespread than most of us realize (see Maslow and Mittelmann, op. cit. p. 545). It is surprising to see that Lope more than three hundred years ago had anticipated in his play some of the most recent of the findings of our psychology specialists. 1 Incidentally, the motif of an I.Q. increase through love had currency long before Lope's time. It is to be found in the first story of the fifth day of Boccaccio's Decameron which relates how "Cimon amando divien savio . . ." Analogues go back as early as the Hebrew version of Barlaam and Josephai. See A. C. Lee, The Decameron: its sources and analogues (London, 1909), 157-60. In Lope, however, there is a stress on educational procedure as a means of bringing about the change which is lacking in Boccaccio. 2 Lope returns to the defensive stupidity' motif in La Boba para los otros y discreta para st (BAE, XXXIV). A Current Bibliography of Foreign Publications Dealing with the Comedia Compiled by Jack H. Parker University of Toronto Karl L. Selig The Johns Hopkins University (Editor's Note: We sincerely regret the resignation, owing to pressure of duties, of Professor Arnold G. Reichenberger. We warmly welcome, to the board of compilers, Professor Karl L. Selig of The Johns Hopkins University.) 1955—1 23 Miscellaneous Alonso, Amado. De la pronuncwción medieval a la moderna en español. Madrid, Gredos, 1954(?). Aston, S. C. (ed.) The Year's Work in Modem Language Studies. XIV, 1952. Cambridge , 1953. Review by F. Mackenzie, Modem Language Review, L, No. 1 (Jan., 1955), 77-78; and by A. E., French Studies, IX, No. 1 Jan., 1955), 91-92. Aston, S. C. (ed.) The Year's Work in Modern Language Studies, XV, 1953. Cambridge , 1955. Pp. viii, 492. Review by A. Ewert, French Studies, IX, No. 3 (July, 1955), 283-284. Bleiberg, Germán (ed.). Antología de elogios de la lengua española. Madrid, 1951. Review by N. H. Espinosa, Filología, IV, Nos. 1-2-3 (1952-1953), 235-237...

pdf

Share