The Great Theatre of the World

Pedro Calderón de la Barca

Auto sacramental wr. 1635?

All humanity is called before "the sovereign Autor," or Stage Manager.

The world is a stage, and men are the actors. The best actors will dine with God, and each performer will receive his due. Divine Grace demands that each man do good works because "God is God," but only Discretion and the Poor Man listen.

The others, such as the Rich Man, occupy themselves with their pleasures. At judgement, all repent their sins except the Rich Man, who is thereby condemned to hell. The King, Farmer, and Peasant go to purgatory; the Poor Man and Discretion to heaven; and the Stillborn Child to limbo, where there is neither pain nor glory.

The elect partake of the sacred Eucharist from the hands of God.