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Nov 25, 1562
Date of Birth
Felix Lope De Vega was born on November 25, 1562 in Madrid, Spain -
Nov 25, 1562
Parents
Francisca Fernandez and Felix De Vega are his parents that raised him in Spain. Francesca lived in Leon, Spain. Felix De Vega was an international wedding photographer. -
1572
El Verdadero Amante
El Verdadero Amante was allegedly his first play. There is not lot of historic information behind it, but it seems like he wrote this play when he was 12 years old, many believe that it is false. He uses genres such as love, passion, and honor. No one knows the exact released date -
1575
Education and Early Years
Lope is educated at the University of Alcalá, where he studies law and literature. He also becomes familiar with Spanish literature and the works of classical authors. -
1580
First Major Success
His first plays begin to be performed in Madrid, where he gains early recognition for his talent as a playwright. -
1580
Military Service and Early Writing
Lope serves in the Spanish military, fighting in the Mediterranean against the Turks. He also starts writing poetry and drama during this time, influenced by the literature of the Renaissance. -
El arte nuevo de hacer comedias
Lope published his groundbreaking treatise "El arte nuevo de hacer comedias" (The New Art of Writing Plays). In this work, he outlined his theory of drama, arguing that plays should be written to entertain the general public, rather than solely focusing on classical rules. -
First Breakthrough
"Las aceitunas" (The Olives) is a comedic play by Lope de Vega, written in the late 1580s. Main characters involve Barbara and Felix. Barbara is a young woman that is told to marry a wealthy mean, but after meeting a not so wealthy man, Felix she falls in love with him and even meets the fathers expectations. -
First Marriage
Lope De Vega's first wife was named Isabel De Urbina in 1588. Isabel was only sixteen years old when she was forced into marriage with Lope De Vega on May 10, 1588. It has been rumored that she was not faithful to him. Inspired character named Belisa in his playwrights -
First Major Play
Lope de Vega's first major success came with the play "La dama boba" (The Foolish Lady), which gained popularity and established his reputation as a prominent playwright in Madrid. It marked his entry into the competitive world of Spanish theater -
Prolific Writing and Popularity
During this period, Lope wrote a large number of plays, producing an average of 3-4 plays per month. His prolific output and ability to connect with a wide audience made him a household name across Spain. He also continued his relationship with Micaela de Luján, and their family grew during these years. -
Emergence as a Literary Giant
By the 1590s, Lope de Vega had firmly established himself as a leading playwright in Spain. His most significant contribution to Spanish drama was the "comedia nueva" or new comedy, which broke away from the classical unities of time, place, and action. His innovative approach shaped the development of Spanish Golden Age theater. -
Marriage
Juana de Guardo was his first wife between 1598-1613. She was the daughter of a wealthy butcher. They had two children one son named Carlos Felix and one daughter named Feliciana. Unfortunately Juana died while giving birth to Feliciana in 1613. -
Prolific Output
Lope's career as a playwright reaches its peak. He writes hundreds of plays, as well as poetry and other literary works. His plays are performed across Spain, especially in the public theaters of Madrid, and he becomes a major figure in the Spanish Golden Age. -
Continued Theatrical Innovation
"Fuenteovejuna" (The Sheep Well) and "El perro del hortelano" (The Gardener’s Dog) were some of his most famous plays during this time, showcasing his mastery of drama and complex characters. -
Religious Devotion and Public Recognition
Micaela de Lujan was a women in which he had a romantic relationship, but she later passed away. After her death, Lope turns more toward religious themes. He enters the clergy in 1614, becoming a priest. During this period, he continues to write plays and poetry but also turns his attention to spiritual works. -
El perro del hortelano" (The Gardener’s Dog)
This play tells the story of Diana, a noblewoman who is in love with her secretary, Teodoro, but is unwilling to let him marry anyone else, despite her inability to marry him herself due to her social position. This is a play with comedic misunderstandings and twists in the plot center on love, jealousy, and class distinction. -
Declining Health and Retirement
Lope began to slow down his writing output in the 1620s, though he still composed many works. He also experienced the loss of several close friends and family members. -
Retirement and Final Works
Lope de Vega withdraws from the public stage somewhat but continues writing prolifically. He produces many of his greatest plays during this period. He also works on his La Dragontea, a long narrative poem about the English defeat of the Spanish Armada. -
Death
Lope de Vega dies on August 27 in Madrid at the age of 72. He is buried in the Convento de las Trinitarias, a monastery in Madrid. Lope's works remain a cornerstone of Spanish literature and his influence on theater, especially the development of the Spanish comedia, is immense. Became to be known as the Spanish Shakespeare. -
Recourses
Lope de Vega: The Craft of the Dramatist by David A. Wacks
Lope de Vega: A Biography by Angel Valbuena Prat
Project Gutenberg
Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes