Fuente Ovejuna
Lope de Vega
Vega wrote so many plays that it is difficult to pick just one to read, but here are some reasons to read this one:
◘It is based on an actual historical event
◘Laurencia is a great example of a strong, independent female character
◘There are some good filmed copies of the play (in Spanish)
◘If you are learning Spanish you can pick up some new vocab. words!
Life is a Dream
Calderon de la Barca
Calderon's plays are great examples of the theme of love and honor, but he also involves some heavy subject matter. This play is about the importance of making the right decisions in life.
◘Even when reading it in English you can still sense the strong Spanish flair that the Golden Age plays have
◘Calderon wrote poetic musical dramas as well, so his language is very fluid (more so in the original Spanish of course)
◘He was always interested in becoming a priest and eventually did, it is interesting to read a play by someone with such strong connections to the church
◘Feminist studies have started looking deeper into the treatment of women in Calderon's plays, so you can read it and make your own decisions about feminist theory