Company

The action takes place in Fuenteovejuna, a village in the province of Córdoba, and is inspired by a real event that occurred in the 15th century in that rural Andalusian setting: the collective and united struggle of a people against the tyranny of a local overlord. In this case, that figure is represented by Fernán Gómez, Commander of the Order of Calatrava and a symbol of despotism and the privileges of the ruling classes.

One of the Commander’s victims is Laurencia, the fiancée of a poor peasant, Frondoso. The day before their wedding, the Commander encounters the two young people in the countryside and tries to abuse the young woman. Frondoso defends her, risking his own life, and both manage to escape. Later, however, the Commander bursts into the wedding celebration and has the newlyweds arrested. He strikes those who try to oppose him, killing some and sending others to prison. Victorious, he takes Laurencia to his house and abuses her before Frondoso’s eyes, while he remains gagged.

Laurencia manages to escape and goes to her father, the representative of the village, to tell him of the outrage she has suffered. When the villagers understand what has happened, they begin to arm themselves with their work tools.

In the end, the entire village, led by its representative, bursts into the Commander’s house and kills him, freeing Frondoso and leaving the two henchmen badly beaten.

The epilogue of the drama focuses on the trial held to discover who is responsible for the Commander’s murder.

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