Arti musices, Vol. 49 No. 2, 2018.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.21857/yvjrdcqo5y
Warriors and Victims – Female Characters in Croatian National-Historical Operas
Petra Babić
orcid.org/0000-0001-6405-6204
; Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The paper deals with the way in which female characters were represented in national-historical operas by three Croatian composers: Vatroslav Lisinski (Porin); Ivan Zajc (Mislav, Ban Leget and Nikola Šubić Zrinjski) and Jakov Gotovac (Mila Gojsalića and Petar Svačić). Through analysis of four key topics related to female characters in these operas (their ferocity, female weakness vs. female courage, questions of honour and motherhood) it is shown that their primary role was that of promoting Croatian patriotism. The characteristics attributed to women in the said operas were to add another layer of patriotism by showing different (but equally positive, noble and praiseworthy) range of emotions and characteristics than those demonstrated by male heroes. The most important role of female characters was to strengthen national cohesion. They helped to form the idea of nation-genetrix, as well as the consciousness of the need for the perpetuation of the nation. These characters were supposed to contribute to the transition of the individual’s loyalty from loyalty to their family to the loyalty to the nation. The negation of female weakness and the accentuation of their honour were, through engendering national pride, intended to stimulate a sense of belonging, and a desire to contribute to intra-national cohesion.
Keywords
female opera characters; patriotism; courage; grit; honour; motherhood
Hrčak ID:
216715
URI
Publication date:
11.2.2019.
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