El castigo sin venganza: The Character, Role and Function of Batín

Abstract

The outstanding merit of Lope's tragedy ‘al estilo español’ lies in his depiction of its trio of protagonists, but almost all its critics have overlooked his innovative and complex uses of its gracioso, Batín, who is present for 42% of the action, and whose successive appearances are analysed here. Though he starts, as usual, as the down-to-earth companion and counterpart of the play's young hero, he is forced by his master's repeated refusals to confide in him to renounce that role in favour of others: in interaction with other characters, as Lope's alter ego, and above all as a constant observer and commentator, akin to a Chorus. The depiction of Batín disproves the notions that the gracioso developed by Lope was never a fully-fledged character, and that his humour was bound to dilute an overall sense of tragedy.