Fuente Ovejuna | Spanish | en español

Fuente Ovejuna is a Spanish play by Lope de Vega, written in 1614. The story is set in the small village of Fuente Ovejuna in 15th-century Spain and revolves around the villagers' collective revolt against the oppressive and tyrannical commander, Fernán Gómez de Guzmán. After enduring his cruelty and witnessing his abuse of power, the villagers band together and kill him. When authorities arrive to investigate the murder, every villager, including women and children, claims responsibility for the crime by saying, "Fuente Ovejuna did it," symbolizing their unity and collective resistance against tyranny. The play explores themes of justice, power, and communal solidarity.