Horses of Power and Passion: Horses and their Riders in 17th-Century Dutch Adaptations of the Spanish Comedia

Abstract

This contribution argues that in Dutch-language adaptations of several Spanish comedias horses were used – either live or prop – to symbolise power relations between noblemen: the horse imparts that its rider is a man of influence and prestige. Mounting a horse generates authority for the men, whereas they are emasculated when they fall off their horses. As regards women, it has been suggested before that female riders in these plays are unable to control their steeds and consequently fall off their horses. Supposedly, this means that they are also unable to restrain their passions. A closer reading of the plays demonstrates, however, that it is nowhere said explicitly that the women fall off their horses nor that they are overly passionate: it is instead the men around them who are unable to rein in their passions.