Palabras clave
Espartero
teatro político
caudillismo
pueblo liberal
España
siglo XIX.
Resumen
El artículo analiza la figura de Espartero en el teatro político de los años 1836 a 1879. Trata de conocer las ideas e imágenes políticas que sobre este general difundieron los dramaturgos para influir en la opinión pública. Su figura de caudillo liberal fue indeleble, pero su imagen de líder experimentó algunos cambios en relación con las revoluciones del período. El teatro de la guerra civil muestra un caudillo militar victorioso que alcanza el rango de libertador de España al derrotar al tirano carlista. El de 1840 lo exalta como héroe nacional, padre pacificador de la patria y caudillo político ídolo del pueblo. En 1854 su figura política se mitifica como caudillo del pueblo que guía a este hacia la redentora victoria. En 1868 el mito lo convierte en el símbolo de la libertad que une al pueblo que aspira a la democracia. Su candidatura para rey de España será defendida desde la escena como la única solución patriótica para una nación libre y democrática. Si las obras de 1840 y 1854 sirvieron para legitimarle en el poder, las de 1843 y 1856 justificaron, en cambio, su caída.
Keywords
Espartero; political theatre; caudillo; liberal people; Spain; nineteenth century.
Abstract
The article analyses the figure of Espartero in political theatre from 1836 to 1879. Its goal is to discover the ideas and political images which playwrights spread about this general, in order to influence public opinion. His figure as a liberal warlord was long-lasting, but his image as a leader underwent some changes with the revolutions of the time. Civil war theatre shows a victorious military warlord who, upon defeating the Carlist tyrant, reaches the rank of liberator of Spain. The theatre of 1840 distinguishes him as a national hero, peacekeeping father of the homeland and political warlord, idol to the people. In 1854 his political figure is mythicised as warlord of the people, who leads them to a redeeming victory. In 1868 the myth turns him into the symbol of freedom which unites those who aspire to a democracy. His candidacy for king of Spain would be defended from the stage as the only patriotic solution for a free and democratic nation. If the plays of 1840 and 1854 served to legitimize him in power, those of 1843 and 1856, on the contrary, justified his fall.