Abstract

This essay focuses on the complex utilization of mythological and astrolological elements in La vida es sueño in an attempt to bring together and harmonize my previous interpretations of the play. These elements are like codes or ciphers included by Calderón so that a learned public could catch a glimpse of hidden elements. One of the functions of these codes is to hide a political subtext, a vision of Spain under Philip IV. The astro-mythological elements in La vida es sueño are so dense and complex that we may need a vehicle to carry us through its complex and labyrinthine texture. Calderón provides us with a way to penetrate the text since he utilized the term hippogryph as the first word uttered in the play. Since the hippogryph is a tripartite monster, we can study its parts: horse, lion and eagle. Under the first, this essay scrutinizes the myth of Astraea: under the lion we will look at Hercules’ role in the play; while the eagle will allow us to comprehend the image of Jupiter.The last section of the essay turns to a series of celestial events that transpired between 1603 and 1605. Thus, we come to understand why a conjunction, a nova and a solar eclipse are inserted in the play —they occurred around the birth of the future Philip IV. Celestial signs and deities, then, are used to praise Philip IV and to evince his ambiguous character and future.