Comedia de la libertad de Espana por Bernardo del Carpio, a play written in 1579 by Juan de la Cueva, is based upon events in the life of the legendary hero of the Spanish Middle Ages. Professor Burton demonstrates in this first complete study of the play that Cueva goes beyond the mere presentation of Bernardo del Carpio and his victory over Charlemagne and the French army at Roncesvalles. The study is important in the criticism of the early Spanish Theater because it shows that Cueva imbued his play with many levels of meaning, as the exultation of a national hero, as a political allegory...