Lope de Vegaās masterpiece, a classic play of the Spanish Golden Age, in a vibrant new translation
Lope de Vega āsingle-handedly created the Spanish national theatre,ā writes Roberto GonzĆ”lez EchevarrĆa in the introduction to this new translation of Fuenteovejuna. Often compared to Shakespeare, MoliĆØre, and Racine, Lope is widely considered the greatest of all Spanish playwrights, andĀ FuenteovejunaĀ (The Sheep Well) is among the most important Spanish Golden Age plays.
Written in 1614,Ā FuenteovejunaĀ centers on the decision of an entire village to admit to the premeditated murder of a tyrannical ruler. Lope masterfully employs the tragicomic conventions of the SpanishĀ comediaĀ as he leavens the central dilemma of the peasant lovers, Laurencia and Frondoso, with the shenanigans of Mengo, theĀ graciosoĀ or clown.Ā Based on an actual historical incident,Ā FuenteovejunaĀ offers a paean to collective responsibility and affirmation of the timeless values of justice and kindness.
Translator G. J. Racz preserves the nuanced voice and structure of Lope de Vegaās text in this first English translation in analogical meter and rhyme. Roberto GonzĆ”lez EchevarrĆa surveys the history of Fuenteovejuna, as well as Lopeās enormous literary output and indelible cultural imprint. Raczās compelling translation and GonzĆ”lez EchevarrĆaās rich framework bring this timeless Golden Age drama alive for a new generation of readers and performers.