"La viuda, casada y doncella", de Lope, fuente de "La desdicha en la constancia", novela corta bizantina de Miguel Moreno (con unas notas sobre "La Circe")

Abstract

This article examines La desdicha en la constancia, a short novel by Miguel Moreno published in 1624. Firstly, I place the text in its context as a tragic Byzantine novella. Secondly, I shed light on some similarities between Moreno’s work and La viuda, casada y doncella by Lope de Vega, written in 1597 and included in the Parte VII (1617). Having studied their respective plots and their historical and literary backgrounds, it is my contention that Moreno composed his novel drawing on Lope’s play. Thus, I also analyse how he may have had access to this play. Finally, I explore the common ground between La desdicha en la constancia and the novels published by Lope in La Circe (1624), which suggests that these two writers –and friends– may have exchanged readings or ideas.