So  far  as  we  know,  only  one  other  tragedy  definitely  based
upon  classical  models,  the  Elisa  Dido  of  Virues,  was  written  in
Spain  during  the  sixteenth  century,  and  this  was  not  published
until  1609.  The  experiment  made  by  Bermudez  is  of  his-


SPANISH  DRAMA  BEFORE  LOPE  DE  VEGA

torical  interest,  but  apparently  contributed  little  to  the  de-
velopment of  the  drama.  Spanish  playwrights  refused  to
obey  blindly  classical  precepts,  and  under  the  leadership  of
Juan  de  la  Cueva,  created  a  new  type  of  play,  which  re-
tained certain  features  of  classical  tragedy,  but  adapted  them
to  meet  the  requirements  of  a  Spanish  audience.
Juan  de  la  Cueva  is  the  outstanding  figure  in  the  period  of
transition  which  preceded  the  appearance  of  Lope  de  Vega.
