Ursaverio: Never Confuse a Fool with a Butter Seller

Abstract

This article focuses on the analysis of the unpublished play Ursaverio (2023) by Roberto Arlt, exploring its intertextuality with Saverio el cruel and the recurring themes in his production, such as farce, madness, metatheatricality and the grotesco criollo. We will analyze how, through the play, Arlt addresses the critique of institutions and capitalist idiosyncrasy, reflecting the marginal characters’ struggle to thrive. The analysis focuses on how Arlt portrays the struggle of these marginal characters, who, despite their efforts, end up becoming victims of modernity. This dynamic is manifested in the  representation of life as a farce, where appearances and illusions play a crucial role. Likewise, a comparison is established between the notions described above and The Rainbow of Desire (2022) by Augusto Boal. Ultimately, this article seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of Arlt’s legacy in the context of Argentine theater and its relevance in contemporaneity.