Gurruminos, petimetres, abates and currutacos in 18th Century sainetes

Abstract

This study of certain negative models of sainetes [afterpieces] from the 18th century reveals not only a continuity of comic stereotypes, but also their relationship to the ideals of behaviour of the era: the authority of the husband, the submissiveness of the wife, thriftiness in managing household finances, etc. Afterpieces join other literary genres (journalism, satirical poetry and the moral essay) in ridiculing those who are involved in the practice of cortejo and who readily adopt new forms of social behavior, fashions, foreign dances, etc., in contrast to traditional ways and tastes. Examples taken from Antonio de Zamora, Agramont, Ramón de la Cruz, Vázquez and González del Castillo are used to illustrate this reticence towards changes in mentality of a new culture of leisure, as well as to observe it a contrario: its “feminization”, its frivolity, and its uselessness.