Subject Stages argues that the discourses and practices of marital legislation, litigation, and theatrics informed each other in early modern Spain in ways that still have a critical bearing on contemporary events in Spain, such as the legalization of divorce in 1978 and of same-sex marriage in 2005.

List of Illustrations
List of Abbreviations

Introduction

1. Marital Law and Order in Early Modern Spain
   
2. Marriage Scenes in the Archives
3. The Birth of the Comedia and the Bride Onstage
4. Foundational Violence and the Drama of Honour
5. Punishing Illicit Desire
6. Woman in Breeches
   

Coda: The Musical Chairs of Divorce
Conclusion

Notes
Glossary
Acknowledgments
Works Cited
Index

María M. Carrión is Professor of Spanish, Religion, and Women's Studies at Emory University.