Lope de Vega: Vida y Obra

#literature #theater #poetry When he died, his funeral lasted nine days. All of Madrid turned out for the burial of the man who was, in Cervantes' words, a "monster of nature," the most famous writer of his time and the most prolific Spanish literature had ever seen. Everything in his life was excessive: his art and his personality, his regret and sin, his love and hate. We are referring to Lope de Vega, nicknamed the Phoenix of Wits. Lope de Vega Carpio was born in 1562, in Madrid, the newly established capital of the Spanish Empire. His lineage was humble, though noble, as his father was an embroiderer who had settled in the town from the mountains of Santander. Little is known about his childhood, although according to his biographer, Pérez de Montalbán, he studied with Vicente Espinel and already showed signs of intellectual superiority in early childhood, reading Latin and Spanish at just five years old. He also spent time in Seville, under the tutelage of his uncle Miguel del Carpio, an inquisitor in the Andalusian capital. He later studied at the famous Jesuit Imperial College and possibly pursued further studies, although never completing them, in Alcalá de Henares and Salamanca. Lope received extensive training in grammar and rhetoric, and was familiar with the classical languages. He likely also studied mathematics, theology, and astronomy at the Royal Academy. His intelligence led him to find patrons who furthered his education, such as Jerónimo Manrique, Bishop of Ávila. Lope's love of writing emerged in early childhood. It is said that at just four or five years old, since he couldn't write, he would give his snack during recess to the older children so they could write down the verses he dictated to them. Later, the poet himself claims, he was already composing comedies at the age of eleven. In 1583, he enlisted in the navy and fought in the Battle of Terceira Island, although the expedition only lasted a couple of months, and Lope returned to Madrid. However, Lope would return to the army in 1588, enlisting in the famous Spanish Armada, with which he sailed for England only to be subsequently defeated in one of the most tragic battles in the history of Spain. But the life and work of Lope de Vega cannot be understood without delving into his turbulent love life, which began in his early youth. In 1580, the playwright began a relationship with María de Aragón, with whom he would have his first daughter. María de Aragón seems to be linked to the Marfisa of his poems. She was later followed by one of his great loves, Elena Osorio, who was already married and is identified in his works as Filis. Lope maintained a relationship with her and in return wrote comedies for her father, the famous theater director Jerónimo Velázquez. In 1587, Elena began another love affair, apparently out of self-interest, with the nephew of Cardinal Granvela. This led to Lope de Vega attacking her and her family, and the poet being sued and imprisoned, later exiled for two years in Castile and eight years in the Court. In 1588, Lope kidnapped Isabel de Alderete, with her consent. After returning from the war with England, he settled with her in Valencia, a pivotal place for his literary influence, where they founded the famous Academy of Nocturnes. After his exile, Lope moved with Isabel to Toledo, where he worked for the Duke of Alba or the Marquis of Malpica. In 1594, Lope was widowed after the death of Isabel de Alderete. After eight years of exile from the Court, Lope returned to Madrid in 1595, where he maintained a relationship with Antonia Trillo, but continued traveling to Toledo, where, among many others, his favorite lover, Micaela de Luján, a married woman, was said to have fathered five children in a period that lasted until 1608. It should be added that in 1598, Lope married Juana de Guardo, the daughter of a wealthy butcher, who was said to be quite vulgar. The playwright's last love was Marta Nevares, a married woman with whom Lope began a relationship in 1916. In addition to those mentioned above, many more women passed through Lope's arms, as can be seen from his correspondence.