Abstract

El príncipe constante by Pedro Calderón de la Barca is a comedia based on the history of Portugal. It is set in the historical framework of the early expansion of the Portuguese Empire. Following the conquest of Ceuta from the Muslims in 1415, two princes, Enrique and his younger brother Fernando, carry out in 1437 an attack on the Moroccan city of Tangier. The play centers on the captivity of Fernando, brought about by the defeat of the Portuguese. Throughout the play there is a contrast between the development of Fernando’s character and that of other members of his family (Enrique, King Duarte, and King Alfonso). This moral development is forged by the Christian-Muslim territorial conflict. Initially, the King of Fez (who will take Fernando as a hostage) and the Portuguese King Duarte desire to conquer each other’s lands. From the beginning to the end of El príncipe constante, the Muslim King’s ambitions are presented as markedly territorial, with no reference to the spread of Islam. In contrast, throughout the comedia the Portuguese Christians emphasize the desire to expand both their territory and their Faith. El príncipe constant can be seen as a criticism of any Christian conquests clothed in spirituality, but motivated by greed. This will be examined by a study of the main action of the play in light of teachings on the subject of «just war» by two preeminent Spanish theologians of the Golden Age: Francisco de Vitoria and Francisco Suárez.