Life Is a Dream: Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Episode 77:

The life of Pedro Calderon de la Barca who took Lope de Vega’s crown as the greatest living Spanish playwright after Lope’s death in 1635

His childhood, youthful brushes with the law, military service and early playwriting.

His best regarded play ‘Life Is a Dream’ from 1632.

A synopsis of the plot of ‘Life Is A Dream’

An analysis of the main themes of the play and it’s relationship to cloak and dagger plays.

Duty and honour

The philosophical aspects of the play

The question of reality and perception

The flaws and dissatisfactions in the play 

Calderon’s later career as a court poet and creator of auto sacramental and full length religious plays

The priesthood and death

Support the podcast at:

www.thehistoryofeuropeantheatre.com

www.ko-fi.com/thoetp

www.patreon.com/thoetp