Short plays as a vehicle for anti-french propaganda

El estudio de catorce obras dramáticas breves, escenificadas en los coliseos de las principales ciudades españolas durante la Guerra de la Independencia (1808-1813), nos ha permitido observar cómo los dramaturgos populares, conocedores de la enorme eficacia propagandística de este género de masas, utilizan todo tipo de recursos a fin de excitar el fervor patriótico en la lucha contra el invasor. Para ello no dudan en considerar a los franceses como representantes de las fuerzas del mal, frente a los españoles, cuya causa está protegida por la divinidad. Se acusa a Napoleón de tirano y a Godoy de traidor y, sobre todo, se caricaturiza a José Bonaparte, el rey intruso, al que se presenta plagado de vicios, apoyado por un grupo de colaboradores, los afrancesados. Como contrapunto, Fernando VII, el legítimo soberano, es un mártir, engañado vilmente por el emperador, al que es preciso liberar del infame cautiverio para que pueda recobrar el trono hispano.The study of fourteen short plays staged in the theaters of the most important Spanish cities during the War of Independence (1808-1813) shows that these popular writers were well aware of the enormous propagandistic influence the genre could exercise on the general public. The playwrights use all types of stylistic devices to excite patriotic fervor in the fight against the invader. They do not hesitate to portray the French as representatives of the forces of evil while the Spanish cause receives divine protection. Napoleon is accused of being a tyrant and Godoy, a traitor. But, most importantly, Joseph Bonaparte, the Intruder King, is portrayed as a vice-riden man supported by a group of pro-French collaborators. Conversely, Ferdinand VII, the legitimate sovereing, is characterized as a martyr who has been cruelly deceived by the Emperor and who must be freed from his ignominious captivity in order to reclaim the Spanish throne