The playwright Calderón de la Barca, born 400 years ago, was alongside Shakespeare the most important figure of identification for the German Romantics. His plays, such as "Life is a Dream" and "The Great World Theater," are still performed today. With his works, Calderón engages in the philosophical and theological debates of his time. He advocates for the priority of practice over theory and addresses the identity of the subject between being and appearance. This volume presents the life and work of Calderón in their historical and intellectual context and analyzes the most important plays and their reception. In addition to works for a broader audience, he also wrote mythological and religious plays, which served as splendid total works of art and were highlights of courtly and Christian festivities.