Tellez

Tellez, GABRIEL, better known by his pen-name of Tirso de Molina, a Spanish dramatist of great reputation, was born in Madrid in 1585, entered the order of the Brothers of Charity at Toledo, and died prior of the monastery of Soria in 1648. Tellez was a friend and pupil of Lope de Vega, whom he almost rivalled in facility of execution. His pieces are partly Comedias, partly Interludes, and Autos Sacramentales (originally about 300, of which but few survive), all displaying dramatic vitality, originality, and power of character-painting. The wit is rich and natural, and the language highly poetical. Some of his comedies still keep the stage. Among the best are El Burlador de Sevilla (Don Juan), El Vergonzoso en Palacio, Don Gil de las Calzas Verdes, and Marta la Piadosa. The best edition of his works is that of Hartzenbusch (12 vols. Madrid, 1839-42); there is a selection in the Biblioteca de Autores Españoles (vol. v. 1850). See a monograph by Muñoz Peña (Madrid, 1889).