The Blindness of Love: The Meaning of Calderón de la Barca's Quote

Calderón was the son of a judge, and he received a thorough education in both the humanities and the sciences. He studied law at the University of Salamanca, but he never practiced as a lawyer. Instead, he turned his attention to writing plays, which were extremely popular in Spain at the time.

Calderón wrote more than 100 plays, many of which were produced and performed at the royal court. His plays were known for their intricate plots, complex characters, and philosophical themes. He often used mythological and historical figures as the basis for his characters, and he explored issues such as the nature of reality, the pursuit of happiness, and the conflict between the individual and society.

In addition to his plays, Calderón also wrote poetry and religious works. He was a devout Catholic, and many of his plays had religious themes and were intended to be performed in churches. He was also a member of the Order of Santiago, a religious order of knights.

Calderón died in 1681, leaving behind a rich legacy of plays and poetry. His work continues to be studied and performed to this day, and he is regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in Spanish literature.

The quote “Love is blind and madness always accompanies it” suggests that love can cause people to act in irrational and unpredictable ways. It also implies that when people are in love, they are unable to see the flaws or shortcomings of their loved ones.

The idea that love is blind is not a new one. In fact, it can be traced back to the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who wrote about the concept in his dialogue “The Symposium.” In this dialogue, one of the characters, Aristophanes, tells a story about the origins of love. He says that in the beginning, human beings had four arms, four legs, and two heads. But because they were too powerful, the gods split them in half, leaving each person with only two arms, two legs, and one head. As a result, people are always searching for their other half, their “soulmate,” in order to become whole again.

The idea of love being blind is also reflected in the popular saying “love is blind, but marriage is an eye-opener.” This saying suggests that once the initial excitement and passion of a romantic relationship has worn off, people are able to see their partner’s flaws and imperfections more clearly.

The part of the quote that suggests that madness always accompanies love is also a common theme in literature and art. Throughout history, artists and writers have depicted love as a powerful and overwhelming force that can drive people to do crazy things. In Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet,” for example, the young lovers are willing to risk everything, even their own lives, for the sake of their love.

In conclusion, the quote suggests that love can cause people to act in irrational and unpredictable ways. It also implies that when people are in love, they are unable to see the flaws or shortcomings of their loved ones. This quote is a reminder that love can be a powerful and overwhelming emotion that can have both positive and negative effects on the people who experience it.

If you are interested in learning more about the Spanish playwright and poet Calderón de la Barca, I would recommend the book “Calderón de la Barca: The Life and Works of a Spanish Playwright” by Kathleen Kuiper.

Kuiper is a professor of Spanish literature at the University of Texas at Austin, and she has written extensively about Calderón and the Spanish Golden Age. In this book, she provides a detailed and scholarly analysis of Calderón’s life and works. She discusses his education, his relationships, and the historical and cultural context in which he lived and wrote.

The book also includes a comprehensive overview of Calderón’s plays, including his most famous work, “La vida es sueño” (Life is a Dream). Kuiper provides detailed summaries of the plots of these plays, and she also discusses the themes, characters, and literary techniques that Calderón used in his writing.

In addition to providing an in-depth analysis of Calderón’s plays, Kuiper also discusses his poetry and religious works. She explores the ways in which his religious beliefs influenced his writing, and she provides insight into his relationships with the royal court and the religious orders to which he belonged.

“Calderón de la Barca: The Life and Works of a Spanish Playwright” is a fascinating and informative book that provides a comprehensive look at the life and works of this important figure in Spanish literature. If you are interested in learning more about Calderón and his contributions to the world of literature, I highly recommend this book.