The revolution in Spanish dramatic literature led by Lope de Vega (1562-1635) culminated with Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1600-1681). Calderón’s career developed in three different theatrical spaces, each subject to specific artistic conventions and staging conditions. First was the commercial public theater, aimed at the socially heterogeneous audiences that packed the corrales de comedias—urban yards adapted for dramatic representations. Secondly, and in contrast to the material limitations of the corrales, the royal court gave rise to dazzling and costly spectacles displaying the awesome power of the King and his family circle. The third space was associated with the local institutions and state authorities responsible for the production of the religious plays known as autos sacramentales, usually staged in emblematic urban settings. Throughout his life, Calderón attained great recognition on all three of the aforementioned...
2534 words
Citation: Checa, Jorge. "Pedro Calderón de la Barca". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 18 March 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=695, accessed 09 June 2026.]
