Fuenteovejuna is one of the best known Spanish Golden Age plays, and its author,

Lope de Vega, the most popular and influential dramatist of the period. Prodigi
ously talented, Lope s output was vast, encompassing prose and verse as well as dr
ama.
His major contribution was to fix the norms for the Golden Age comedia (i.e. dra
ma) in both structure and thematic variety. Plays were divided into three acts a
nd written in verse. The classical unities of time and place were disregarded al
though that of action was retained. The plot that carried the action was frequen
tly supported by a relevant comic or serious subplot, and a comic character (the
gracioso) was often present. Lope overturned classical decorum by mixing comic
and tragic elements, and having both nobles (even royalty) and peasants appearin
g on the stage at the same time.
Thematically, Lope drew inspiration from a wide variety of sources: e.g. history
, classical mythology, the Bible, lives of saints, Italian literature. However,
two themes he worked with particular success were amorous cloak and dagger intri
gues (comedias de capa y espada) and honour conflicts, especially between the pe
asantry and nobility.
Fuenteovejuna is an historical play, based on an uprising in the village of Fuen
teovejuna (North West of Crdoba) in 1476. It was composed probably between 1612
and 1614. The action of the play takes place in 1476, but with implications not
just for the audience of the 17th century but for all ages: good governance, loy
alty, justice, the meaning of honour, trust, true love, sacrifice. Is nobility r
estricted only to social rank?
The main plot centres on the relationship between the noble, Fernn Gmez de Guzmn, C
omendador (Knight Commander) of the Order of Calatrava**, and the villagers of F
uenteovejuna; the subplot addresses the relationship between the Comendador and
the Catholic Monarchs. In both, the Comendador creates disorder. For order and h
armony to return, the Comendador must either recognise his error or be destroyed
. (See El burlador de Sevilla for another creator of disorder, Don Juan.)