Pedro Calderón de la Barca

Reproduction of the original: The Purgatory of St. Patrick by Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Reproduction of the original: The Purgatory of St. Patrick by Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Reproduction of the original: The Two Lovers of Heaven: Chrysanthus and Daria by Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Reproduction of the original: The Wonder-Working Magician by Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Reproduction of the original: The Wonder-Working Magician by Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Life is a Dream: A Philosophical Allegory by Pedro Calderon De La Barca and translated by Edward Fitzgerald. Of all Calderon's works, "Life is a Dream" may be regarded as the most universal in its theme. It seeks to teach a lesson that may be learned from the philosophers and religious thinkers of many ages-that the world of our senses is a mere shadow, and that the only reality is to be found in the invisible and eternal. The story which forms its basis is Oriental in origin, and in the form of the legend of "Barlaam and Josaphat" was familiar in all the literatures of the Middle Ages. Combined with this in the plot is the tale of Abou Hassan from the "Arabian Nights," the main situations in which are turned to farcical purposes in the Induction to the Shakespearean "Taming of the Shrew." But with Calderon the theme is lifted altogether out of the atmosphere of comedy, and is worked up with poetic sentiment and a touch of mysticism into a symbolic drama of profound and universal philosophical significance.

Usually recognized as Calderon's finest drama, Life Is a Dream premiered at the Royal Court of Spain. Its theme, revealed in the title, focuses on the instability of life and the illusory nature of the world. The story opens one night in the countryside between Poland and Russia, where Rosaura, a noblewoman disguised as a man, and her servant are journeying on foot after the loss of their horses. The opening lines give an example of Calderon's imagery and language: Are you the fabulous hippogriff running in harness with the wind? Flameless thunderbolt, featherless bird, fish without scales, Monster of the four elements without instinct to check your headlong flight?

Personas que hablan en ella: -Don GUTIERRE -El REY don Pedro -El infante don ENRIQUE -Don ARIAS -Don DIEGO -COQU N, lacayo -Do a MENC A de Acu a -Do a LEONOR -JACINTA, una esclava -IN S, criada -TEODORA, criada -LUDOVICO, sangrador -Un VIEJO -SOLDADOS -M SICA

No hay burlas con el amor, de Pedro Calder n de la Barca

Las tres justicias en una Pedro Calder n de la Barca

Personas que hablan en ella: -CIPRIANO -DEMONIO -FLORO -LELIO -MOSC N, criado -CLAR N, criado -El GOBERNADOR de Antioqu a -LISANDRO, viejo -JUSTINA -LIVIA, criada -FABIO

Las cadenas del demonio Pedro Calder n de la Barca

El m dico de su honra Pedro Calderon de la Barca