Lope de Vega THE KNIGHT OF THE MIRACLE
El caballero del milagro, 1593
Comedy
Translated by Primož Vitez
Directed by Luka Martin Škof
Premiere: February 2012
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This classic comedy, though lesser-known to the Slovenian public, describes in verse the exciting life of a Spanish hero Luzmán, who in spite of the fact that he actually hasn't got a brass farthing, lives a luxurious and enjoyable life in Rome. As he is also very handsome and charming, no woman can resist him. He is thus fooling three at the same time, all heavenly beautiful and rich. Nature has also rewarded him with exceptional wit and, as he has a well-oiled tongue too, he can easily trick just anyone. Without an ounce of guilty conscience he deftly navigates his way from one lie to another, from one fraud to another; he plays different roles, disguising himself, or just like that, makes up all kinds of excuses and trades on human weaknesses and vanity. Even when the going gets tough, he firmly believes that some miracle will save him. And when necessary, that really happens too. How dreary would life seem without all those dangerous adventures! He doesn't give a damn for the feelings of others, as he is having an immense amount of fun. Owing to the fact that there is hardly a person in this play who is actually honest and fair, it contains even more plots. And it is probably the reason why we tend to forgive Luzmán’s »sins« much easier.
The Spanish Renaissance artist Lope de Vega is considered one of the most prolific authors in general. Among other things he also wrote 1800 plays, which marked a turning point in the history of Spanish drama. Significant for his plays is a mixture of tragic and comic contents, variety of motives, and emphasis on honour … The Knight of the Miracle, written in a rich and flexible language, is a vivid and razor-sharp comedy. Suspicious love intrigues and money dealings in a big city are not as distant as they seem at first sight.
I use all these false sighs and thoughtful
feelings, when necessary.
Gullible fools think
that gold is all that glitters before their eyes
and they would do just anything for that gold.