A Study on the Progressiveness of the Heroines of Tirso's Play

The purpose of this study is to more specifically and realistically identify the progressiveness of the heroine in the plays of Tirso, one of Spain's leading playwrights in the 17th century. To this end, this study will attempt to compare the extraordinary value of progressiveness of the heroine of the Tirso’s play with the heroine of the Lope’s play with a similar theme or conflict structure to reveal its progressiveness more specifically and realistically. Tirso's La gallega Mari-Hernández and Lope's La moza de cántaro are plays in common with heroine as a monster girl, while Tirso’s El Vergonzo en palacio and Lope’s El perro del Hortelano are plays that deal with the love crisis between a noble woman and her servant. Moreover, Tirso’s Don Gil de Las calzas verdes and Lope’s El acero de Madrid are plays that represent the heroine in a common crisis. The comparison of these plays shows that the heroine of the Tirso’s play took the lead in solving conflicts and problems by exercising their own abilities, while the heroine of the Lope’s play does not play a leading role in solving conflicts and problems and relies on male characters or external factors. In conclusion, it can be seen that the progressiveness of the heroine of the Tirso’s play becomes more pronounced through comparison with the heroine of the Lope’s play, which shows a similar dramatic atmosphere and story structure.