Still More "Modern Psychology in Lope de Vega"

corno él la creó en un mundo irremediablemente eso: poético. A Lope no se le entiende pensando si tal obra la escribió en tal fecha, o si la creó para determinado actor, o si la sacó de una crónica o de un cuento de Bandelo. Todo esto puede ser eficaz para comprender los límites de su creación poética; pero todo ello tambi én crea nubarrones que oscurecan el cielo de la poesía. La gran falla de gran parte de la crítica sobre Lope ha sido no ver, no sentir, su poesía que ahondaba en el hombre y en sus problemas más eternos, poesía que de las cosas naturales hace milagros. NOTAS 'Me valgo de la edición de mi querido amigo José Manuel Blecua, La Dorotea, Madrid, 1955, págs. 167 y 168. En la edición de Edwin S. Morby, Berkeley y Los Angeles (California), 1957, en las págs. 105 y 106. •-«3£»-¦<«$£»-¦ Still More "Modern Psychology in Lope de Vega"1 by Richard Tyler University of Texas In the third act of El nacimiento de Ursón y Valentín, the latter of the title characters lies down to sleep after wandering dejectedly in a forest. His twin, Ursón, who was carried off at birth by a bear, and has lived as a wild animal, now appears. After some deliberation, he decides to kill Valentin ; but as he raises his club, he is suddenly unable to move, and says,¿Quién ata las fuerzas mías? Algún Dios secreto viene, que mudo el brazo me tiene, los miembros y venas frías.Recalling that Valentín (whose identity is unknown to him) has saved his life earlier, Ursón lies down beside him. even though he realizes that Valentin , on awaking, may kill him. Valentin , in his turn, does indeed try to kill the sleeping Ursón, but finds his sword arrested in mid-air:¿Quién me hiela? ¿Qué es aquesto?¡Oh, turbado corazón!¡Oh, caso de admiración! Cielos, ¿hay misterio en esto?1 He ties Ursón's hands, but soon frees him, and it is presently learned that two youths are sons of the King of France. What happens to Ursón and Valentin is remarkably like the state known as cataplexy, as discussed some years ago by Dr. Max Levin, a psychiatrist , in the Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry. Among the instances that Dr. Levin cites are those of "A boxer who had his opponent on the ropes, but could not bring himself to deliver the finishing punch," and of a hunter who suddenly went limp when about to shoot a rabbit. The explanation of this phenomenon, we are told, is "that civilized man is taught to inhibit many of his aggressive impulses ."4 This would fit Valentin's case well enough, but might run into some difficulty with Ursón. The latter, however, was taken from the bear and reared by an old man, who presumably taught him some of the ways of civilization; even though it was not enough to keep him from terrorizing the neighboring villagers, who have believed him to be a wild beast! At any rate, Ursón and Valentin seem to have suffered from cataplexy, whether so called or not; and this is a step toward confirming Professor Arjona's belief "that a careful scrutiny of [Lope's] plays would reveal many more instances in which he foreshadowed our modern psychological findings.""' NOTES 'Cf. Joseph G. Fucilla, "Finea in Lope de Vega's La Dama Boba in the Light of Modern Psychology," Bulletin of the Comediantes , VII, 2 (Fall, 1955), pp. 22-23; and J. H. Arjona, "Modern Psychology in Lope de Vega," Bulletin of the Comediantes, Vili, 1 (Spring, 1956), pp. 5-6. -Obras de Lope de Vega, publicadas por la Real Academia Española, XIII (Madrid, 1902) , p. 521a.¦Vbid., p. 521b. 4AIl references are to a summary of Dr. Levin's findings, in Time, LXI, 14 (April 6, 1953), pp. 89-90.¦"'Arjona, op. cit., p. 6. ANNOUNCEMENTS Due to the rising cost of printing and the loss of our regular printer, the Orange Print Shop of Chapel Hill, N. C, it was not possible to publish the Autumn issue on time. The Editor expresses his sincerest regrets and apologies for this delay. The present somewhat larger issue contains a combined bibliography (Autumn, 1962 and Spring, 1963) . With our financial situation improved—sincere thanks to G. E. Wade and all the comediantes who so generously contributed—it is to be hoped that after this issue it will be possible again to publish two numbers each year. cated to Lope. It includes an important essay by Bruce W. Wardropper. The Spring 1963 issue of the Texas Quarterly will feature a special section on Lope. Among many interesting articles will be studies by Professors Silverman and Avalle-Arce and a detailed description with illustrations of the University of Texas production of Fuente Ovejuna. Volume XIX of the Theatre Annual devoted entirely to the Spanish theatre in memory of the quadricentennial of the birth of Lope de Vega includes articles by R. R. MacCurdy, A M. Pasquariello, Antonio Buero Vallejo, and Diego Marin, among others. Price: $2.00 Theatre Annual, The Press of Western Reserve University, 2029 Adelbert Road, Cleveland 6, Ohio. The Comediantes and the Editor of the Bulletin express their sincere appreciation to the University of Western Ontario for a generous contribution on the occasion of the Lope Quater -centenary. Willis Knapp Jones' translation of Lope's La dama boba appears in Poet Lore, commemorating the 400th anniversary of Lope de Vega's birth. La, heráldica en las obras de Lope de Vega y sus contemporáneos by Warren T. McCready (Toronto, 1962; xii —470 pp., with illustrations, bibliography and indexes; $6.50) may be ordered from the author. The Autumn issue of Drama Survey (University of Minnesota) is dediKindly send your subscription orders to the Business Manager of the Bulletin , J. W. Peters, Muskingum College , New Concord, Ohio. Lope de Vega Library Exhibits The Bibliography and Exhibits Committee extends its sincere thanks to the following ninety-six libraries for their enthusiastic cooperation in the NorthAmerican celebration of the Fourth Centenary of the Birth of Lope de Vega—W. T. McCready. Adelphi College, Garden City, N. Y. Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa. Arkansas, University of, Fayetteville, Ark. Arlington State College, Arlington, Tex. Atlanta University, Atlanta, Ga. Ball State Teachers College, Muncie, Ind. Baylor University, Waco, Tex. Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham , Ala. ...