Life Is a Dream

In the introduction, Michael Kidd, the translator, provides background information. He divides this information into four categories: the history of Spain at the turn of the century (1600), the literary form of the Spanish comedia, biographical details of the playwright, and an analysis and interpretation of the play itself.

Spain at the turn of the century was characterized by three features of society: “religious intensity, inequality before the law, and a deep sense of national pride” (1). Kidd specifies the importance of these three characteristics, explaining that “they forcefully underpin the ideology of Calderonian Spain” (1). The Spanish Inquisition and other religious events like the re-conquest of Granada and the “[c]ostly religious wars between Catholics and Protestants” (2) were a significant influence on Spanish identity at this time. As well, Kidd notes that though “the distribution of power was not equitable” (3), and “the king was the ultimate arbiter in cases of injustice” (3), “[r]emarkably free discussion of political affairs was tolerated” (3). Thirdly, Spain’s nationalism was “bound to a profound sense of manifest destiny” (5); though Spain’s strength as a world power did not endure, Spaniards could look back “with nostalgia” (6). Kidd also mentions the influence of the “pseudosciences—alchemy, astrology, chronology, the study of emblems” (15).