Overview
Synopsis
Love, jealousy, intrigue, honor. These are the ingredients of Lope de Vega’s Spanish Golden Age masterpiece The Dog in the Manger. Diana, the Countess of Belflor, is consumed by jealousy at her servant Marcela, who has the love of Teodoro, Diana’s personal secretary. Because of her jealousy--even though she has no intention or possibility of marrying Teodoro--Diana contrives to keep the pair apart. She even locks Marcela away and seduces Teodoro, inspiring his social ambitions to rise to the honor of count. But Marcela is not so easily eliminated, and vows revenge against both Diana and Teodoro. Will true love win out? Will honor be recognized? Still a classic after 400 years, The Dog in the Manger engages and intrigues audiences worldwide.
Show Information
- Book
- Lope de Vega
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1618
- Genres
- Drama, Romance
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Naples, Italy, 1600s
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Adult, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
Lope de Vega’s 1618 play The Dog in the Manger is inspired by a fable often attributed to Aesop. A dog lies in a hay manger, refusing to move, while the horse is hungry. The dog has no interest in the hay, but is only interested in keeping the other animals from eating. For de Vega, this allegory is transformed into a story of love and jealousy: the Countess of Belflor, Diana, is envious of her maid Marcela. Diana’s secretary Teodoro is in love with Marcela, and intends to marry her, but
to read the context for The Dog in the Manger and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Teodoro, dressed in fancy clothing, is fleeing through the halls of his employer, Diana, the Countess of Belflor. With him is his friend Tristan--both men are worried that their pursuer, Diana, has recognized them. They speed away just as she enters. Diana calls for her servants, wondering who could have been roaming her halls so late at night. Fabio (her footman) and Otavio (her elderly steward) enter, and reassure Diana that all is well. However, upon investigation, Fabio sees
to read the plot for The Dog in the Manger and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Female |
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Lead |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Featured |
Male |
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Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress