The Diverting Play - Miguel de Cervantes
Summary La entretenida (The Entertaining Lady) is a three-act comedia by Miguel de Cervantes, first published in his collection Ocho come...
Summary
La entretenida (The Entertaining Lady) is a three-act comedia by Miguel de Cervantes, first published in his collection Ocho comedias y ocho entremeses nuevos in 1615. The plot revolves around Princess Casandra, daughter of King Ladislao of Hungary, who is deeply in love with Prince Polidoro, heir to the Polish throne. However, King Ladislao, under political pressure and advice from his council, decrees that Casandra must marry the Marquis de Estremera, a powerful and influential nobleman.
The play explores the emotional turmoil of Casandra, Polidoro's efforts to win her back despite the King's decree, and the various schemes and deceptions employed by the characters. These include a secret marriage between Casandra and Polidoro, the intervention of Octavio, a loyal confidant, and the unexpected arrival of Dorotea, a woman from the Marquis' past who claims he is already married to her. The play is filled with romantic entanglements, mistaken identities, secret rendezvous, and dramatic revelations, ultimately leading to a resolution that upholds true love and honor amidst political maneuvering and social expectations.
Book Sections
Section 1: Act I
The play opens in Hungary, where King Ladislao has decreed that his daughter, Princess Casandra, must marry the Marquis de Estremera, despite her profound love for Prince Polidoro of Poland. Casandra is distraught, torn between duty to her father and her heart's desire. Polidoro is equally despairing, vowing to fight for his love. The King's decision is influenced by political expediency and the advice of his council, who see the Marquis as a powerful ally. Casandra confides in her loyal maid, Leonora, and her trusted courtier, Octavio, who tries to mediate and provide counsel. Polidoro, with the help of his servant, Fabio, devises a plan to secretly meet with Casandra and affirm their love. They manage a clandestine meeting, where they secretly marry, hoping this will eventually persuade the King.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations |
|---|---|---|
| Casandra | Princess of Hungary, virtuous, deeply in love, obedient yet rebellious at heart | To marry Polidoro, to fulfill her love, to navigate her father's decree. |
| Polidoro | Prince of Poland, brave, passionate, determined | To marry Casandra, to claim his love, to overcome political obstacles. |
| King Ladislao | King of Hungary, firm, concerned with state affairs, influenced by counsel | To secure political alliances, to ensure the stability of his kingdom. |
| Marquis de Estremera | Powerful nobleman, ambitious, favored by the King | To marry Casandra, to gain status and power, to fulfill the King's decree. |
| Leonora | Casandra's loyal maid, confidante | To support and protect Casandra, to offer advice. |
| Octavio | Loyal courtier, wise counselor to Casandra and Polidoro | To help Casandra and Polidoro, to maintain peace and order. |
| Fabio | Polidoro's servant, cunning, resourceful | To assist Polidoro in his schemes, out of loyalty. |
Section 2: Act II
The secret marriage between Casandra and Polidoro creates further complications. The Marquis de Estremera arrives at court, ready for the wedding. Casandra attempts to delay the marriage, expressing her reluctance and feigning illness. The King, however, is resolute. Polidoro, disguised, remains close to Casandra, communicating with her through secret notes and trusted intermediaries. He attempts to reveal their secret marriage to the King, but his efforts are thwarted by security and the urgency of the impending official wedding. Meanwhile, a new character, Dorotea, arrives at court. She is a woman from the Marquis's past who claims to be his rightful wife, presenting a legal document as proof. This revelation throws the court into disarray and provides a new obstacle to the King's plans. Dorotea, seeking justice and recognition, appeals directly to the King, challenging the Marquis's honor and the validity of his proposed marriage to Casandra.
| Character | Characteristics | Motivations |
|---|---|---|
| Dorotea | Woman from the Marquis's past, determined, wronged | To claim her rights as the Marquis's wife, to seek justice and recognition. |
Section 3: Act III
The King is forced to address Dorotea's claims. An investigation is launched, and the Marquis is questioned. He initially denies the marriage to Dorotea, attempting to discredit her. However, Dorotea presents compelling evidence and witnesses to support her claim. During this turmoil, Polidoro sees an opportunity to reveal his own secret marriage to Casandra, hoping that the scandal surrounding the Marquis will make his union more acceptable. With Octavio's help, Polidoro finally reveals to King Ladislao that he and Casandra are already married. The King is initially furious, feeling betrayed by his daughter. However, faced with two legitimate marriages – Dorotea's to the Marquis and Casandra's to Polidoro – and the undeniable evidence, he realizes he must uphold honor and justice. The Marquis is compelled to acknowledge his marriage to Dorotea. The King, seeing the true love between Casandra and Polidoro and the legitimacy of their bond, ultimately relents and gives his blessing to their union. The play concludes with the two rightful couples united, restoring order and celebrating true love over political convenience.
Literary Genre
La entretenida is a comedia (comedy) from the Spanish Golden Age. Specifically, it falls under the subgenre of comedia de enredo (comedy of intrigue) or comedia palatina (palace comedy), characterized by complex plots involving love, honor, mistaken identities, and romantic entanglements, often set in noble courts.
Author Facts
- Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547 – 1616) is considered the greatest writer in the Spanish language and one of the most prominent figures in world literature.
- He is best known for his novel Don Quixote de la Mancha, often cited as the first modern novel and one of the most influential works of fiction ever written.
- Cervantes was a soldier and fought in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, where he was wounded and lost the use of his left hand. This earned him the nickname "El Manco de Lepanto" (The One-Armed Man of Lepanto).
- He was captured by Barbary pirates in 1575 and held captive in Algiers for five years until he was ransomed.
- Despite his literary genius, Cervantes struggled financially for much of his life and experienced periods of imprisonment for various debts and infractions.
- He also wrote many other plays, novels, and short stories, including Novelas ejemplares (Exemplary Novels), La Galatea (The Galatea), and Viaje del Parnaso (Journey to Parnassus).
Morale and Curiosities
Morale/Message:
The primary morale of La entretenida is the triumph of true love and honor over political expediency and social pressure. The play emphasizes that genuine affection and legitimate vows (even secret ones) should ultimately prevail over arranged marriages based on power or wealth. It also subtly critiques the arbitrary power of monarchs when it conflicts with individual happiness and justice, suggesting that even kings must bow to honor and truth.
Curiosities:
- "Entertaining Lady" Misnomer: The title La entretenida is somewhat ironic. While the plot is certainly entertaining with its intrigues, the protagonist, Casandra, is far from "entertaining" in the sense of being cheerful or amusing. Her situation is quite distressing. Some scholars interpret "entertaining" as referring to the play itself as a form of entertainment for the audience, or perhaps subtly hinting at Casandra's ability to "entertain" (hold off) her suitors and the King's decree.
- Cervantes' Theatrical Output: While Don Quixote overshadows his other works, Cervantes wrote extensively for the stage. However, his plays, including La entretenida, often struggled to compete with the more popular and commercially successful dramas of Lope de Vega and his followers. Cervantes frequently complained about the public's preference for formulaic plots over his more classical or innovative approaches.
- Publication Context: La entretenida was published posthumously in the same collection (Ocho comedias y ocho entremeses nuevos, nunca representados) as some of Cervantes' most famous short plays. This collection was an attempt by Cervantes to showcase his theatrical talent, as many of these plays had not been staged during his lifetime.
- Themes of Freedom and Constraint: Like much of Cervantes' work, La entretenida explores the tension between individual freedom (particularly in love and personal choice) and societal, political, or familial constraints. Casandra's struggle is a microcosm of this broader Cervantine theme.
- Dramatic Conventions: The play uses many common conventions of the comedia nueva of the Spanish Golden Age, such as secret marriages, disguises, loyal servants, and sudden revelations, all leading to a neat resolution. However, Cervantes often imbued these conventions with a deeper psychological realism than his contemporaries.
