[1] Prudence in Woman is a history play that foregrounds the role of María de Molina, the widow of King Sancho IV of Spain, as she became regent during her son’s childhood, and had to face innumerable problems to retain power.
In this play Tirso’ re-works another one of his historical dramas, La república al revés where Irene is regent of the Byzantine Empire.
Prudence in Woman then highlights the role of the mother, which is a figure that is often absent in early modern Spanish plays.
[2] Her actions show her to be a chaste widow, a prudent woman (at a time when women were often described as fickle and impetuous), and a wise ruler.
At the end of Act Two María de Molina must again admonish her enemies as they partake of a bountiful banquet while her treasury is empty.