During the Spanish Golden Age, under the Habsburg dynasty, theater became one of the most important literary genres, especially in the seventeenth century, being promoted by the monarchy and turning into a mass spectacle that brought together people from different social classes. Popular themes included novelistic intrigues, picaresque episodes, romantic adventures, and military events, reflecting social reality through comedy. In this context, the actresses La Baltasara and La Calderona stand out; their fame and controversy highlight fundamental features of the Comedia Nacional, a genuinely Spanish genre with significant historical influence, and demonstrate how women actively participated in cultural life despite social limitations. Studying these figures provides Spanish students with historical perspectives on gender roles, cultural and linguistic analysis of theater and its social function, as well as reflections on female empowerment and agency. Understanding the relevance of La Baltasara and La Calderona enriches knowledge of Spanish cultural heritage, fosters critical thinking, and improves linguistic competence through literary analysis in historical and social contexts, showing how theater both reflected and challenged the norms of the time and offering lessons on gender, representation, and culture.
