Ana Caro’s Valor, agravio y mujer (Mis)Interpreted: A Look at Leonora in Ian Borden’s “Agravio” (2020)

Sadly, early modern Spanish women's works are rarely showcased on the big stage, leaving theater professionals, teachers, and students at a loss for how to interpret female roles. Moreover, directors and actors face a unique challenge when it comes to English translations or adaptations of plays, especially those written by women playwrights like Ana Caro.

Enter Ian Borden and his "trans-adaptation" of Amy Williamsen's translation of Ana Caro's Valor, agravio y mujer, titled Agravio: Courage, Betrayal and a Woman Scorned. Borden's approach is action-packed, with quick-witted dialogue and fast-moving scenes that keep audiences on edge.

As women have played a significant role in the history and tradition of Spanish theater, it's essential to examine Borden's interpretation of the protagonist Leonora and her servant Flora as they transition from text to mise en scene. However, Borden's emphasis on the staging detracts from Caro's original text. This essay delves into the nuances of Borden's (mis)interpretation and its impact on these important characters.

“Ana Caro’s Valor, agravio y mujer (Mis)Interpreted: A Look at Leonora in Ian Borden’s “Agravio.” Living the Comedia and Peculiar Lives in Early Modern Spain: Essays Celebrating Amy Williamsen, edited by Esther Fernández and J. Yuri Porras, UP of the South, 2020, pp 113-23.