Pedro Calderón de la Barca Biography
Spanish Playwright and Poet, Famous for Life's a Dream
Sep 17, 2009
Calderón de la Barca was a Spanish playwright of the 17th century, respected in his time and well-known for his autos sacramentales, the most famous is Life's a Dream and Divine Orpheus.
Brief biography of Calderón de la Barca
Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600-1681) was educated by the Jesuits, studied law and philosophy at Salamanca (1613-1619.) For ten years, he served in Italy and Flanders.
In 1635, he was summoned by Philip IV to Madrid, and appointed as a master of the revels. The Catalonian rebellion in 1649 made him return to the army, but after two years, he entered the priesthood, and withdrew to Toledo in 1653.
Ten years later, he was recalled to court where he also resumed his dramatic activity, and continued writing for the court, the Church, and the public theatres until his death.
Calderón de la Barca the Playwright
As a playwright, Calderón produced comedies that mainly dealt with the theme of love, along with hate. He presented it in allegorical form. His autos sacramentales, outdoor plays for the festival of Corpus Christi, number 72, and have been divided into seven classes including biblical, classical, ethical, 'cloak and sword plays' and dramas of passion. The finest of them is El divino Orfeo (Divine Orpheus.)
Unlike William Shakespeare, his stage productions were active and indispensable to the action. Therefore, it called for clear sets. His characters were biblical with a strict Christian morals.
Of his regular dramas118 are still in existence, of which the most famous are La vidas sueno (Life's a Dream') and El alcalde de Zalamea ("The Mayor of Zalamea.")
Insight on Calderón de la Barca
Calderón was the last surviving playwright from the great age of Spanish comedy associated with Lope de Vega. He was one of those commanded with most respect in his time, including his patrons, especially the church. He was known for his orthodox beliefs such that in life his only hope is Christ, and for his noble poetic work.
Works by Pedro Calderón de la Barca
- The Schism in England, 1627
- Belshazzar's Feast, 1634
- The Surgeon of His Honour, 1635
- The Mayor of Zalamea, 1643
- The Painter of His Own Dishonour, 1645
- The Garden of Falerina, 1648
- Sing Psalms and Keep Silent (poem, 1653)
- Affects of Love and Hate, 1658
- Wild Beasts are Tamed by Love, 1669
- Life's a Dream, 1673
- The Garden of Falerina, 1675
- First Part (1677)
Sources:
- McGovern, Una, Ed. Chambers Biographical Dictionary. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers, 2002.
- Payne, Tom. The A-Z of Great Writers. London: Carlton, 1997.
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