Valor, agravio y mujer

In this comedy from Spain’s Golden Age, playwright Ana Caro criticizes the customs of her era and the position of women in the social order while ridiculing through parody the erotic myth of Don Juan.

The protagonist, Leonor, seeks to recover her lost honor against Don Juan who made a false promise of marriage while seducing her. To revenge herself, Leonor dresses in male attire (a common technique in Spanish Golden Age Theatre), calls herself Leonardo, and pretends to be a rival suitor for her hand. Don Juan has already moved to seduce the Duchess Estela, who in turn falls in love with “Leonardo.” After a series of deceits and much ado, Leonor denounces Don Juan and regains her honor by forcing him into marriage with her. Although a typical finale for a 17th century Spanish play, the unconventional aspect is that a woman has solved her own misfortune without the help of a man.

About Ana Caro

Ana Caro (1600-1652) was a playwright of the Spanish Golden Age. Caro’s career took off in 1628 when she published poetry as well as studies on festivals and cultural activities. However, there is little to no documentation of her poetry or research-based studies. Her career as a playwright began later in life, in the 1640s. She was the author of two religious plays as well as a number of entremeses, which are short interlude plays placed between acts of comedias.

Performed in Spanish with English subtitles via Simultext® In-Seat Captioning System. By request for matinee performances.