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Jacinto Benavente
Sin querer; De pequenas causas...; Los intereses creados
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Political Ideas.—Benavente has more than once called himself a reactionary in politics. Unfortunately we do not know just what he means by reaction. He speaks of the folly of endeavoring to correct abuses by law, but just when he appears to be on the point of committing himself, a satirical or ironical remark leaves us in doubt as to his real convictions. In recent utterances he has demonstrated greater willingness to discuss current problems from a severely logical point of view. In many respects he is a modern thinker; projects for the gradual improvement of Spanish and world-wide ills meet with his unqualified approval. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, he is not always consistent in his desire to see things accomplished without governmental interference; for instance, he favors state control of the theater.
El dragón de fuego.—No better example could be given of the difficulty of determining Benavente's political notions than El dragón de fuego. It is at the same time his most serious, most mysterious, and, in the opinion of some critics, his most pessimistic work. The plot is as follows: A certain civilized country called Sirlandia has gained control over the uncivilized people of Nirván, thereby outdistancing the rival powers, Franconia and Suavia (the names may be applied to Western European nations as each reader sees fit). The emissaries of civilization are a general, a merchant, and a clergyman, who symbolize arms, money, and spirituality. The Europeans uphold upon the throne a puppet-king, Dani-Sar, who is the protagonist of the play and whose character is in every respect admirable. His weakness and his strength are those of a man removed from western civilization. Although in love with a maiden, Sita, he surrenders her to his brother Duraní, whom he thinks she loves. Foreigners and natives are alike dear to him, but he falls victim to the selfish and cruel policy of civilization. When the Sirlandians discover that Dani-Sar is not a pliant tool, they dethrone him and make his brother king. Dani-Sar is taken to Sirlandia, where he is held in custody. Outwardly he receives good treatment, but his heart is eaten away by loneliness, despair, and homesickness. He cannot endure the cold climate of the north and the hypocritical hospitality of his captors.
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