"The Dancing Teacher" by Lope de Vega, summary Automatic translate

This cloak-and-dagger comedy was written in 1594. The plot revolves around the protagonist’s concealment of his true class status in order to achieve his love. The author deliberately chose the profession of dance teacher — at the time the play was written, mastery of this art was considered a privilege of the highest nobility. The work was adapted for Soviet cinema in 1952. The film adaptation of the play, produced by the Central Theater of the Red Army, starring Vladimir Zeldin, gained widespread acclaim and cemented the production’s phenomenal theatrical success.

A Feast in Tudela and a Fatal Decision

A young, impoverished nobleman, Aldemaro, returns home from military campaigns. While passing through, he stumbles upon the lavish wedding celebration of Tevano and Feliciana in the city of Tudela. The celebration includes jousting competitions. Aldemaro sees Florela, the bride’s young sister, and falls head over heels in love with her. The young man flatly refuses to continue his journey to his native Lerin.

His cousin, Ricaredo, tries to reason with the lover. Aldemaro’s family has ancient roots, but his father is utterly impoverished. Ricaredo reminds him of his lack of resources and the absurdity of hoping to marry the daughter of the wealthy aristocrat Alberigo. Aldemaro remains adamant. He decides to apply the choreographic skills he acquired in Naples. The lover devises a daring ruse: infiltrate the girl’s house under a false name and become a tutor to the young ladies.

The appearance of the teacher and other people’s secrets

At Alberigo’s house, the newlywed Tevano complains about the tedious wedding dances. The father laments his daughters’ inability to move gracefully. The arrival of a traveling craftsman comes at a very opportune moment. Aldemaro takes the name Alberto and immediately gets a job.

Soon, the new teacher encounters the noble hidalgo Vandalino. He is passionately infatuated with Florela and asks the teacher to act as a secret go-between in matters of the heart. Vandalino gives Alberto a love letter for the girl. A curious detail comes to light. The gentleman is absolutely certain he received an encouraging reply the previous night. Under cover of darkness, a female figure conversed pleasantly with him from the balcony.

Aldemaro is driven into furious despair by what he’s heard. However, the bitter truth is hidden from the proud hidalgo. Florela’s older sister spoke to him from the balcony. The married Feliciana has long been pining for Vandalino and is willing to resort to any forgery to secure meetings.

Musical Metaphors and Confessions

Florela learns of her sister’s reckless behavior and is indignant. The girl clearly understands the gravity of the situation. Her good name could be irreparably damaged by someone else’s depraved desires.

The dance lesson begins. To the tinkling of a guitar, Alberto discusses the structure of the human soul, comparing the five senses to the five strings of an instrument. Florela hints that she knows about the letter she gave him. The supposed teacher reveals his true origins. He gives his name and tells her about his Lerin roots.

Florela is filled with genuine trust in the noble young man. Aldemaro’s feelings resonate deeply with her. The young people agree to work together.

Substitution of letters and a night ambush

Feliciana gives Alberto a reply to her lover, carefully written in her sister’s name. In it, she boldly arranges a rendezvous in the garden. Aldemaro and Florela open the note and change the text. The new version instructs the gentleman to wait by the window. Florela intends to go out into the garden herself to discourage the persistent admirer. Feliciana, meanwhile, will lie in wait for her lover on the balcony in vain.

The night brings a great deal of unrest. Vandalino climbs over the fence into the garden. There, Florela meets him and showers him with angry reproaches. The girl bluntly declares that her heart is "cold as marble," and that someone else wrote the previous letters. The insulted gentleman leaves hastily.

Tevano is hiding behind the branches. Feliciana’s husband has found scraps of paper and suspects his wife of infidelity. Aldemaro and his servant Belardo appear in the darkness. They pretend to be looking for robbers and beat Tevano severely with clubs. He is forced to scream loudly and call for help. Tevano retreats into the house, relieved that he escaped with only bruises and that his suspicions were unfounded.

The Stolen Chest

A new day dawns. Feliciana secretly meets with Vandalino. He complains about his sister’s disfavor and the forged letter. Feliciana convinces the gentleman of the dance teacher’s treachery. According to her false version, Alberto himself has his eye on the girl and is harming his noble rival.

Feliciana persuades the cowardly butler, Cornejo, to commit a cowardly act. She gives the servant a chest containing her jewels. Cornejo discreetly hides the box under Alberto’s bed. The married schemer plans to expose Aldemaro as a thief and ensure his swift exile.

During the day, choreography lessons continue. Aldemaro and Florela enjoy each other’s company while practicing complex movements. Feliciana interrupts their solitude. To deflect suspicion, Alberto enthusiastically changes the conversation to preparations for the mass performance for the upcoming masquerade.

The maid, Lisena, raises a terrible commotion. The wardrobe has been broken into, the chest has disappeared without a trace. Feliciana masterfully feigns deep despair. Aldemaro fervently vows to turn the estate upside down and find the culprit. Lisena sets out to search.

An unexpected ending

Vandalino returns to the mansion. Alberigo and his armed household find him in the garden. Hidalgo frankly confesses his matrimonial intentions and shows him the note agreeing to the marriage. Alberigo is shocked by his daughter’s behavior. The old man orders Florele to accept Vandalino’s proposal.

The maid Lisena brings the treasure she found and publicly accuses Alberto. The jewels were in the teacher’s room. Aldemaro meekly hands over the sword. The young man refuses to offer any excuses, lest he reveal Florela’s secret. The supposed thief is harshly led away to prison.

Ricaredo arrives in Tudela with his servants to rescue his brother from the city guards. The men don masks and burst into Alberigo’s house. Incredible chaos ensues.

Florela takes direct action. She tells her father the truth about the forged letters and defends her honor. The girl proposes a cunning plan to the old man to get rid of Vandalino. Alberigo invites the gentleman to a private conversation. The host deceives his guest, claiming that Florela was planning to elope with the dance teacher and that she gave him the chest of her own free will.

Upon hearing of his bride’s dishonor, the proud Vandalino refuses the marriage. He tears up the remaining notes and leaves the Tudela house forever. There are no longer any obstacles. Alberigo reveals to Aldemaro his knowledge of his noble birth. The theft charges are completely dropped. The old man, with genuine joy, gives Florela in marriage to the young man from Lerin. Ricaredo removes his mask and embraces his rescued brother. Belardo’s servant receives Lisena as his wife and a rich dowry.