This article analyses how Calderón used the realm of the mine in one of his capa y espada comedies, Primero soy yo (c. 1640-1642), in order to show that it has a double use (metaphorical and theatrical) that Calderón derives from Lope de Vega’s writings. After examining the criticism on the subject, the statistical data about the different meanings of the word mina in Calderón is layed out and the focus put on its military interpretation, in order to analyse these results in comparison to those in Lope’s theater and poetry. The article analyses Primero soy yo in detail in order to explore Calderón’s innovative use of the mine metaphor, a use that underlines some general traits of his comedias cómicas. I examine this connection by showing how the mine usually appears next to references to war, to violent birth or to secrets, an association that helps to explain how Calderón conceived human passions.
Abstract
This article analyses how Calderón used the realm of the mine in one of his capa y espada comedies, Primero soy yo (c. 1640-1642), in order to show that it has a double use (metaphorical and theatrical) that Calderón derives from Lope de Vega’s writings. After [...]