Historia de la literatura y del arte dramático en España, tomo II

Spanning the flourishing of Spanish drama from the late sixteenth century through the early eighteenth, this volume maps the cultural forces that shaped the nation’s stage. It blends political, religious, and literary history to show how censorship, the Inquisition, and court patronage influenced playwrights from Cervantes to Lope de Vega. Readers will find detailed examinations of poetic structures—such as the redondilla, lira, and silva—and how they were woven into comedies, autos sacramentales, and interludes.

The author also surveys the practical side of theater, describing period costumes, set design, and the ebb and flow of performance bans that colored the audience experience. Chapters on Lope de Vega trace his prolific output, his innovative approach to comedy, and the lasting impact of his “new art” of playwriting. By connecting archival anecdotes with modern scholarship, the book offers a vivid portrait of an era when drama became a national expression.