1562-1635. Spanish poet and dramatist, one of
the founders of modern Spanish drama. He was
born in Madrid, served with the Armada 1588,
and in 1613 took holy orders. He wrote epics,
pastorals, odes, sonnets, novels, and,
reputedly, over 1,500 plays (of which 426 are
still in existence), mostly tragicomedies. He
set out his views on drama in Arte nuevo de
hacer comedias/The New Art of Writing Plays
1609, while reaffirming the classical form.
Fuenteovejuna 1614 has been acclaimed as the
first proletarian drama.