Discourse and Class in El Alcalde de Zalamea

Calderón here investigates tensions in the social ensemble. Conflicts arise as the characters dispute class identity, aspects of femininity, honor, power relations and labor issues. The relation between these competing discourses figures both as a central thematic concern and the main structuring principle of the play. Deployed within on-going national discussions for and against the status quo, the characters point to negotiations of value, status and rank circulating within Spain in the early seventeenth century. Thus Pedro Crespo stands at the center of a dialogue between conservative and less repressive values. At the same time, his actions are directed by contradictory emotions, vengeance as well as honor and justice.