Estudio comparativo de las poéticas teatrales de José Martínez Queirolo y Arístides Vargas

Abstract

Abstract: The following comparative study offers an in-depth analysis of the theatrical poetics of José Martínez Queirolo and Arístides Vargas, two imposing playwrights in Ecuadorian drama. It is highlighted that Queirolo, in plays such as La casa del que dicenan (The House of the One Who Will Say), adheres to a traditional, linear, and functional dramatic structure, using dialogue to drive the plot and instill social critique with humor and sarcasm. His stage directions are direct and oriented toward visible action. In contrast, Vargas, in his play Nuestra Señora de las Nubes (Our Lady of the Clouds), is grounded in postdramatic theater, breaking with linear conventions and employing a poetic and fragmented language that addresses exile, memory, and identity. His texts present emotions and sensations, prioritizing sound and imagery over explicit narrative. This analysis presents the evolution of Ecuadorian drama and the richness of its aesthetic proposals, showing how both playwrights, from different perspectives, value theatrical culture and address important social issues.