Episodes of Contemporary History in Lope de Vega

Abstract

While contemporary facts seldom appear in 16th and 17th century European drama, Spanish comedia, and particularly Lope de Vega’s work, offers a wide catalogue that includes pieces where important public events occured during Lope’s lifetime are dramatized. Some of those plays may refer to events that, despite having taken place in the past, clearly deal with contemporary political and social events, such as the expulsion of the moriscos, or the construction of the modern State. Many other pieces recreate war or court episodes, pious legends, or foreign affairs, all of them contemporary to the audience. Some plays aim at providing political propaganda; others, at praising a noble family genealogy; yet others, at simply recreating war deeds. In almost all of them, Lope tries to avoid manichean views, he rather offers us a complex vision of reality, and he does not betray the principles of communion with the audience typical of popular theater.