Known as one of the greatest playwrights of the Golden Age of Spanish
drama, Calderon wrote powerful and imaginative dramas
of high romance during the time shortly after the unification of Spain in the early 17th Century. Calderon, who was a soldier, a nobleman, and devout man of the Catholic Church, exhibits theatrical technique and writing style of high romance and verse
drama. He also was known for his tragedies, unlike his famous predecessor, Lope de Vega. Love Survives Life, or The Physician of His Own Honor is a moral story that illustrates the powerful trope among Spanish drama of this period which emphasizes honor over other merits, and excuses anything, including murder, for the preservation of honor. Evoking the story of Othello, Calderon’s play describes a man who holds honor more
important than love; however, unlike Othello, there is no punishment or downfall of the man after his act for, according to Calderon, honor is the more important virtue of the two. Don Gutierre de Solis has married a noblewoman who he loves dearly. The brother of the King previously admired his wife before she was married and now finds his love rekindled, however, she staunchly refuses him. Don Gutierre becomes suspicious of their relationship and the more his wife rejects her pursuer, the more jealous her husband becomes. Soon, like Othello, Don Gutierre’s jealousy leads to the death of his honest wife; however this story is much more disturbing and reflects the Spanish mentality of the period. When his wife cannot convince her husband of her innocence Don Gutiere gives her two hours to live. She lays herself out for sacrifice and Don Gutiere has her killed. No remorse follows his deed and indeed he defends his following of the codes of honor. The king, rather than punishing him for his egregious act, rewards him by giving him another wife who is warned what are the consequences of her not remaining faithful to her husband. Not a play to appeal to modern audiences, but an important display of poetic tragedy in Spain during the 17th Century.