TIRSO DE MOLINA: BIOGRAPHY AND WORKS - HISTORY - 2025

Tirso de Molina (1759-1648) was the pseudonym used by the Spanish friar Gabriel Téllez. Besides being a priest who belonged to the Order of Mercy, he was also a prominent and recognized poet and playwright. Similarly, he stood out for his ability to expose the literary trend known as Baroque.

It was part of the period of the Spanish Golden Age. His work was fertile enough to transcend to this day. He devoted himself mostly to writing comedies. The sum of these works is close to three hundred; many of them were based on stories and anecdotes from their country.

Tirso de Molina. Source: AnonymousUnknown author, via Wikimedia Commons

He was a passionate religious, convinced of his vocation and with an immeasurable gift to preach; but his literary work caused him some problems. The humor and sarcastic and burlesque style with which he wrote his works were targets of criticism that caused his retirement to a monastery in the city of Aragon.

Biography

Gabriel Téllez, or Tirso de Molina, was born in the city of Madrid on March 24, 1579. The data about his life are scarce. However, it is known that its origin was humble. He was the son of the domestics of a Count named Molina de Herrera.

Years of studies and general aspects of his life

Tirso began his studies at a school located in Alcalá de Henares, where he was a student of Lope de Vega. Later, when he was 21 years old, in 1600, he entered the Order of La Merced. There he made the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, in addition to helping to free the captives.

A year after being in La Merced, he was received as a priest. Then he moved to the Spanish city Guadalajara, to be in charge of the San Antolín monastery. He spent much of his life traveling through his native country on the orders of his superiors. He always carried out his missions with obedience and commitment.

Historians agree that it was in the city of Tagus where the playwright spent one of his best stages. During that time he devoted himself entirely to his religious vocation, teaching, reading and writing, as well as good friendships. It was in the middle of the seventeenth century when it began to produce theater.

When he was in Tajo, he was informed about the missionary trip that he had to make to Santo Domingo. The stay on the Caribbean island lasted two years, from 1616 to 1618. That opportunity she had to know the New World was reflected in many of her comedies.

Attacks on his works

Perhaps one of the best known aspects of Molina's life is the one that occurred in 1625. On that date, what was known as the Customs Reform Board went against the writer. It all happened by writing what they considered inappropriate content comedies that gave rise to bad actions.

That event caused his transfer to Seville and then to the Cuenca monastery. In 1626 he returned to Madrid and dedicated himself to writing again. In that year he was given the position of commander.

Death

Tirso de Molina lived his life amid the priesthood, missions, and his passion for writing. He died on March 22, 1648 in the province of Almazán, in the city of Soria.

Plays

Sculpture in honor of Tirso de Molina. Source: Juan Vancell

Tirso de Molina's work was characterized, as was established at the beginning of this article, for being sarcastic. Its content and argument were complex enough, not everyone could understand. But it made up for the viewer by giving it mystery and collusion.

It is important to note that the priest, despite his religious status, knew feminine psychology very well. When women appeared in his dramas, he described them in great detail. In a very particular way and with a humorous sense, he dressed the women malely.

Fun, laughter, teasing and entanglement merged in each Tirso work. Such qualities made his work admirable and unique. Some of the most important comedies by this Spanish playwright are briefly described below.

The Shameful in Palace

In the content of this work, Tirso walked between the serious and the comic. It is made up of three acts. The actions are carried out in Portugal. It is perhaps a tribute to the nobility of this European country who attended the court of King Philip III. It's about a pastor who is ashamed of what he is.

The protagonist, who is called Mireno, has high aspirations and decides to leave his land to go in search of more. On the way he falls in love with Madalena. From then on a series of events arise ranging from love to disgrace.

The Woman Who Rules the House

It was a biblical comedy written by Tirso in 1612. It was based on the story of Jezebel, who was the wife of King Ahab. With his brilliance, the writer made the plot more difficult based on the seduction that the woman had towards the peasant from whom her husband wanted to take the land.

The play is made up of three acts. In the first, the King boasts of the beauty of his wife through an extensive speech. In the second act, the dialogues that give rise to the plot of the play begin. Finally, in the third, the character of the prophet Elijah intervenes.

Marta The Pious

It was a play that focused on the life of a woman who was ahead of her time. She was characterized by being intelligent, tenacious, determined and did not mind putting morals aside to get what she wanted. It was written by Tirso in 1614, and has eleven characters. Marta's intervention, first act:

"The late ox tied to the coyunda, the night waits and the neck lifts, and he who has a knife to his throat

in some hope living founds… ”.

In the previous fragment, Molina's style stands out, making use of sayings and words with the intention of creating dynamism. And at the same time make the work a composition based on the game. Hypocrisy and lies reign, exposing the coldness that human beings can have.

Los Pizarros trilogy

The Spanish writer wrote this drama between 1626 and 1632. It is made up of three comedies that belong to the historical genre. Its story is based on the life and anecdotes of the Pizarro brothers, who were protagonists of the conquest of Peruvian territory.

Tirso de Molina public school. Source: Discasto, from Wikimedia Commons

It is composed of: Everything is to give one thing, Amazonas in Las Indias and Loyalty against envy. It is about love, war, fight, envy and betrayal. Tirso wrote this work when he was in the city of Trujillo. During that time he was in continuous contact with the Pizarro family, who were collaborators of the Order of La Merced.

Francisco: how they saw me bathed in blood

and not prevented, voices will cause

that in the neighboring houses

they doubt me aggressor, murmuring homicidal

and guessing grievances

of honor, leisure and malice ”.

The Trickster of Seville

It was one of Tirso's works with the greatest philosophical content. It is divided into three acts. It was based on a man whose “job” was to go through life making fun of everyone. The protagonist Don Juan gave rise to history when he posed as Duke Octavio and made fun of Isabela.

Dishonoring women Don Juan spent his life. The play has the participation of about 19 characters. Among those who are: Don Juan Tenorio (Son), the King of Castile, Don Juan Tenorio father of the first, Catalinón, Duke Octavio, Tisbea, the Marquis de la Mota and Don Gonzalo de Ulloa.

Fragment:

Don Juan: Sweetie, I have metaphors that I haven't used yet. O Eve of this new Eden, make me a fig leaf suit. The serpent begins to wake up. Do you know the first metaphor of Eden, Thisbea, the serpent?… ”.

The Melancholic

This work dates from the year 1611. Its content was about conflicts, love and the differences between social strata. He walks with special dedication in melancholy, hence his name. Like most of the author's works, it is divided into three acts.

In the first part the subject of love was touched upon. In the second act the theme of power was developed, while in the last the character of Rogerio made a speech about melancholy. The following is the intervention of the aforementioned character:

"Rogerio: I was melancholic, dear, to see that an impossible wanted, What will you do then, my misery, if you are jealous of an impossible?

The Punishment of Penseque

Tirso de Molina wrote this work in 1614. The themes developed by the author in this drama refer to entanglement, eroticism, love and a lot of wit. The protagonist initially fails to conquer his beloved, but then returns to the ring and achieves the conquest.

Don Gil de las Casas Verdes

Tirso de Molina wrote this play in 1615. This comedy was based on conspiracy and entanglement. It was considered by experts as one of the most complete works of the Spanish writer. It has foundations in the comedies of Lope de Vega.

The story of this plot goes as follows: Don Martín proposed to Doña Juana marriage, but he did not keep his word and went to Madrid, under the name of Luís Albornoz. The lady left Valladolid and went to the Spanish capital to look for the betrothed; but she did it disguised as a man.

Fragment:

"Doña Juana: lift me up with dark circles, heartbroken to open

a balcony, from where later

my beloved ungrateful I saw.

from that day on

rounds to beat

my neglected freedom… ”.

Jealousy with Jealousy is Cured

It was a comedy like many of Tirso's, based on love and entanglement dramas; but this time with high-class characters. It took place in the Italian city of Milan, in three acts. The characters are: César, Carlos, Gascón, Sirena, Diana, Marco Antonio, Alejandro and Narcisa. The comedy was written in 1621.

The first act is about friendship and loyalty; César, Carlos and Gascón take part. While in the second act he concentrates on the doubts that arise within love. And finally, the third is related to women and the pride that it feels to be.

Fragment:

"César: I am recognized

to the loyalty and love with which it has come

the city to offer me

the Ducal crown, and entertain myself in the

festive displays… ”.

The Condemned for Mistrust

It was a story written from a theological point of view. The plot takes place between the actions of Monk Paulo and Enrico, the criminal. The former is characterized by being distrustful and haughty, while the latter, despite his mistakes, hopes to be a better person.

Fragment:

“Paulo: Happy hostel of mine!

peaceful and delightful solitude,

that heat and cold

you give me lodging in this shady jungle, where the guest is called

or green grass or pale broom… ”.

The Spanish wrote this work in 1615. In it he shows how appearances can be deceiving, that even being close to God one can carry demons inside, and that when a person has behaved like a despicable and monstrous being, a powerful inner force It can make it change for the better.

Within the range of works written by Tirso de Molina, there are also: How Friends should be, Medical Love, Los Balcones de Madrid, From Toledo to Madrid, Privar Contra su Gusto, El Aquiles, La Ninfa del Cielo, Who no Cae no se risen, and The Cretan Labyrinth, just to name a few.

References

1. Tirso de Molina. (2018). Spain: Wikipedia. Recovered from: wikipedia.org.
2. Loeza, A. (2012): Jealousy with Jealousy is Cured by Tirso de Molina. (N / a): Scriptorium. Recovered from: grisoalex.Wordpress.com.
3. Tirso de Molina. (2018). (N / a): Biographies and Lives. Recovered from: biografiasyvidas.com.
4. Tirso de Molina. (2018). (N / a): Lecturalia. Recovered by: lecturalia.com.
5. Florit, F. (S. f.). Tirso de Molina. Spain: Miguel de Cervantes Virtual Library. Recovered from: cervantesvirtual.com.