The author follows Hofmannsthal's and Ortega y Gasset's historical application of the Schlegels' ideas on irony inorder to establish the Spanish tragicomedia as an ironic response to social and aesthetic ualues. Her study touches on various Calderonian works but deals in particular with La hija del aire, Los cabellos de Absalón, Apolo y Climene, and El hijo del sol, Faetón. "Many of Hernández-Araico's remarks on the individual works [are] valuable and worthy of further attention." —Diane Fox, Journal of Hispanic Philology. "Hernández-Araico adeptly synthesizes and interrelates complex techniques and theories. Her book is a valuable contribution to Calderonian criticism." —Ann E. Wiltrout, Hispania.