Humanities: Drama

HUMANITIES 411 Fichter ("The Present State of Lope de Vega Studies," Hispania, XX (1937), 327-52), it consists of a page or more of useful discussion of the main works which appeared in each two year period since 1937. An annotated bibliography follows under the headings of Editions: General; Drama: A General, B. Individual Plays; Poetry: A General, B. Individual Poems; Prose, Individual Prose Works. Then comes ·a separate section entitled Studies: General, Including Biography; Drama: A General, B. Individual Plays; C. The Arte nuevo; D. The Peregrina Lists; Poetry: A General, B. Individual Poems; Prose: A General, B. Individual Prose Works. The numerous and often lengthy annotations are informative and interesting. The Quadricentennial Year, 1962, is dealt ·with under similar headings but with few annotations. The editors point out that this is due to lack of space. It is regrettable that this section is not as fully annotated as the former since this would have added considerably to the usefulness of the volume. Naturally scholars are most interested in the latest items to appear. Although there is no general index, once a reader understands the system used, it appears to be easy to find quickly any desired item, but section headings at the top of the page might have been helpful. While the editors do not claim completeness, it seems unlikely that they have missed any item of importance, indeed they include many doctoral dissertations , often hard to track down for the ordinary student, and urge the publication of such rare items. It is to be hoped that this advice may be followed in many cases. Reproduced by offset from a well-designed and carefully typed manuscript , the result is an attractive volume which will be invaluable to any student of the Spanish Golden Age. (EvELYN Rucc) Professor E. J. H. Greene's study, Marivaux (University of Toronto Press, pp. x, 368, $8.50), now stands as the most important and most complete work in English on a writer whose reputation is at long last solidly established throughout the literary world. By its excellence it seems likely to occupy thai: position ·for many years to come. The only other work of comparable scope in the whole of Marivaux criticism is Frederic Deloffre's Marivaux et le marivaudage which is very different in aim and approach. This book which is comprehensive, scholarly, and readable, fills a long-felt gap. From the various possible approaches to Marivaux, such as the traditional "life and works" type of study, or the division of his works into 412 LEITERS IN CANADA: 1965 genres, the author has chosen a resolutely chronological one which amply justifies itself. As a result of this method, we can see clearly how the preoccupations of the journalist successively in Le Spectateur fraw~ais, Le Philosophe indigent, and Le Cabinet du philosophe, penetrated his dramatic works; how the early (and until recently largely neglected) works of fiction state themes to be developed fully only decades later; how La Vie de Marianne and Le Paysan parvenu complement each other and affect the plays and essays. In its due place, Professor Greene gives a detailed analysis of each work. It is here that the freshness and originality of his insights into Marivaux are most clearly revealed. When he comes to the great m~ster­ pieces, he pauses long enough to give them perceptive treatment as autonomous works of art, not merely as stages in the author's development . He summarizes usefully the views of previous critics. Where he disagrees with them he is capable of attacking vigorously, sometimes caustically (as in his comments on Brunetiere, Faguet, Crocker, Turnell, Poulet) but also of defending his own views cogently and convincingly. His interpretations of the well-known works are sound, personal and stimulating; his discussion of the less frequently read novels and seldom performed lesser plays reveals a sure critical sense based on a deep understanding of Marivaux and a wide knowledge of Marivaux criticism. The analyses of Les Fausses Confidences, La Vie de Marianne, Les Sinceres, La Dispute, I,e Philosophe indigent, will serve as illustrations of the enlightening assistance the author gives to the informed reader. In recent years a good deal of...