Social History of Spain and Portugal

Social history of Spain and Portugal: Life is a Dream, play
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Social history of Spain and Portugal: Life is a Dream, play
The play Life is a Dream by Calderon De La Barca was initially published in the year 1635 at the ending of the Spanish Golden Age. This play is an intense, psychological exploration of the human being as a person/individual. It also explores the societal codes of conduct of Spain in 17th century Spanish society. The play is essentially a philosophical perspective on the importance of human existence as well as the mystery of human life. Spain experienced a considerable decline of possession and power globally during the ending of the Spanish Golden Age (Jones 12). This Spanish Empire fall would supplement and provide crucial insight in the observation as well as analysis of this play. This essay provides an analysis of what the play, Life is a Dream, says about the nature of Spanish society, its expectations, political culture, social mores, and values.
In this play, the playwright demonstrates that although life is no more real than one’s sleeping stories, the Golden Rule is still applicable. Relationships and actions still have relevance, and a person’s status is defined by the opinions of the people around him or her. The play is centred on a turbulent Kingdom in Poland and was written in 1635. Basilio, who is the king of Poland, has put in prison the rightful successor to the throne, Segismundo. Basilio fears the fateful presages – for instance the queen’s death during child birth – which accompanied the birth of Segismundo would bring obliteration to the monarchy. However, several years later, the king decides to free Segismundo and makes him prince; but only if his son would not lash out at those the king ordered to tell him that his former life of incarceration was just a dream (De La Barca 19). As he interacts with the people who are around him, the prince ultimately learns that it is better to treat other people as he wishes other people to treat him – although he is led to believe that life was just a dream.
Life is a Dream follows a tradition of respect to loyalty as well as honour of women; hence, it is reasonable to point out that the play says that during the 17th century, it was expected for people in the Spanish society to respect loyalty and women. Calderon De La Barca was concerned with life’s psychology: the subject of the human being as a member of a social structure, and as an individual. Jones (21) stated that a common concept that plays of the Golden Age contain and which today’s audience can appreciate is arguably the honour code. In the play, the king strips Segismundo who is his son, of his honour – there is no life if one does not have honour, and until a life has been avenged to take revenge and even the score, it cannot be a life at all. Astolfo is followed by Rosaura to Poland as she seeks to avenge Astolfo’s desertion of her. The play reveals that the honour code represented the established and acknowledged principles of living during Spain’s Golden Age in the 17th century. A person’s name, repute – including a person’s repute regarding sex &ndas...