24 
Indiana University Studies 
CHAPTER IV 
LA HERMOSA FEA, Lope de Vega 
The play suggested by the greatest number of critics, after 
Los milagros del desprecio, is La hermosa fea, also by Lope de 
Vega. This play was produced in Valencia, prior to April 
26, 1632. 67 It was printed in 1641. 68 
In 1838 69 Don Eugenio de Ochoa wrote that Lope de Vega 
used the same idea in La hermosa fea as in Los milagros del 
desprecio, thus making it possible that Moreto was influenced 
by both plays. 
Puibusque 70 mentions this play among others dealing with 
the same struggle. 
Schack 71 gives it equal importance with Los milagros del 
desprecio in influencing Moreto. 
Carolina Michaelis 72 gives the play mention, among several 
others, as dealing with the same idea as El desden con el desden. 
Klein 73 gives the play the next place after Los milagros del 
desprecio as a model for Moreto’s play. 
Schaeffer 74 mentions an important point in common between 
the two plays, which will be discussed later. 
Alonso Cortes 75 rejects the play among those suggested as 
influencing Moreto. 
Fitzmaurice-Kelly 76 includes the play among those given the 
credit as being models for Moreto. 
The first act of La hermosa fea 77 finds Ricardo, Prince of 
Poland, representing his secretary, Lauro, in the palace of 
Estela, Duchess of Lorena, with whom he is very much in love. 
The latter is very beautiful, but vain of the fact, and scornful 
67 Hugo A. Rennert, op. cit., p. 43. 
6S Found in the Parte veinticuatro of Lope’s plays, Zaragoza, 1641. La Barrera y 
Leirado, op. cit., p. 449. 
69 op. cit., p. 249. 
70 op. cit., p. 230. 
71 op. cit., p. 355. 
72 op. cit., p. 258. 
73 op. cit., p. 445. 
74 op. cit., pp. 158-159. 
75 op. cit., p. 21. 
76 op. cit., p. 274. 
77 Biblioteca de autores espanoles, Vol. XXXIV, tomo 2, Madrid, 1855, pp. 349-365. 
