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Animal spectacles are vital to a holistic appreciation of Spanish culture. In
Transoceanic Animals as Spectacle in Early Modern Spain, Beusterien christens five previously unnamed animals, each of which was a protagonist in a spectacle: Abada, the rhinoceros; Hawa'i, the elephant; Fuleco, the armadillo; Jarama, the bull; and Maghreb, the lion. In presenting and analyzing their stories, Beusterien enriches our understanding of the role of animals in the development of commercial theater in Spain and in the modern bullfight. He also contributes to growing scholarly conversations on the importance of Spain in the history of science by examining how animal spectacles had profound repercussions on the emergence of the modern zoo and natural history museum. Combining scholarly content analysis and pedagogical sagacity, the book has a broad appeal for scholars of the early modern Spanish Empire, animal studies scholars, and secondary and postsecondary instructors looking for engaging exercises and information for their Spanish language, culture, and history students.
List of contents
Prologue, Introduction: Armored Beasts and the Elephant in the Room, Chapter 1: Abada the Rhinoceros and Hawa'i the Elephant, Chapter 2: Fuleco the Armadillo, Chapter 3: Jarama the Bull and Maghreb the Lion, Conclusion: Biogeography as a Teaching Tool, Appendix 1: Biogeography Course Project: Naming an Early Modern Animal, Appendix 2: Bibliography for the Study of Animals and Early Modern Spain, Index.
About the author
John Beusterien is Professor of Spanish and Coordinator of the Comparative Literature Program at Texas Tech University.
