Berganza's "buen natural" and the Theriophily of El casamiento engañoso and Coloquio de los perros

Abstract

Abstract:Miguel de Cervantes found animals to be productive, if polyvalent, mirrors through which humanity could understand its place in the natural order. While the specular role of animals in human attempts at self-definition might seem at odds with the goals of Animal Studies today, there is great value in appraising Cervantine theriophily. From Plutarch to Montaigne, theriophily questioned anthropocentrism by comparing the ills of human society to the order of the animal world. This comparison between humans and animals was central to how Cervantes's Casamiento–Coloquio questioned anthropocentrism, as Campuzano's descent into animality at the hands of Estefanía de Caicedo results in a dialogue between dogs that prefer their canine "buen natural" to the prospect of a latent humanity. Foregrounding the specular thinking between humans and dogs, art and nature, reveals the roots, as well, of Berganza's racism, as the logic of animal husbandry is projected back onto humans.