A national, or nationalizing, theatrical tradition developed in early modern Spain through the confluence of several forces: sixteenth-century economic growth and urbanization, local performance traditions, and pan-European interest in renewing classical dramatic forms. The comedia nueva that emerged became the popular entertainment form for more than a century.

The paradigmatic comedia is a three-act, polymetric drama, freely combining comic and tragic elements, noble and baseborn personae in fast-paced plots, in which character is developed more through action than through introspective monologues. Comedia serves as the generic term, applied to comic, tragicomic, and tragic works alike. Their thematic range is considerable, including romantic intrigues, “cape and sword” plays, saints’ lives, historical, mythological, and biblical themes. Short satirical and burlesque pieces – entremeses, mojigangas, and bailes – entertained the audience between acts and concluded the performance.