The action takes place in the 15th century in the Spanish village ofFuente Ovejuna that belongs to Fernando Gomez de Guzman, the Grand Commander of the Order of Calatrava.

Act 1

Scene 1

Peasants adorn the village and get ready to welcome their sovereign, Commander Gomez after his successful participation in the military campaign. The Commander didn’t win affection in Fuente Ovejuna mainly because he abused his power and harassed girls.

The young Fondoso is blissfully in love with the beautiful Laurencia, the daughter of Esteban, the alcalde of the village. Each time when they meet he confesses his love, but Laurencia only laughs at him. A friend of Laurencia, the young Pascuala and her lover Mengo start playing with their peers.

The Commander and his soldiers return into Fuente Ovejuna, where the alcalde greets them on behalf of all the inhabitants. But Gomez doesn’t need it; He is captivated with Laurencia and Pascuala. His servants Fernando and Ortuno by trick and power are trying to force the girls to go to the Commander’s castle. The girls manage to escape with the help of Mengo.

Scene 2

Early morning. The girls move towards the spring. The horn is heard, the Commander has gone on a hunt. He meets Laurencia at the spring in a solitary place. She has a date with Frandoso, but notices the Commander entreats her lover to hide behind the bushes. The commander lays his crossbow aside and being sure they are alone tries to gain her love by all means. Frondoso springs out of the shelter, grabs the crossbow and brings the Commander to retire. Laurencia flees to the village for help.

The Commander is genuinely shocked by such a humiliation and leaves, while swearing to revenge cruelly.

Pascuala and the country maids come to the spring. Mengo appears as well. As usual, he brings joy. Frightened Jacinta comes running in a torn dress in the middle of the games. Drunk servants of the Commander chase her. The girls grab their laundry baskets and run away in a fear. Mengo tries to protect Jacinta from the rude molestation of the servants. The Commander returns to the spring accompanied by his soldiers. Mengo relies on justice and complains to Gomez on the rowdiness of his servants, but the commander orders to give him a flogging and gives Jacinta to the servants for their entertainment.

Meanwhile appears the herald with the letter from the Grand Master of the Order, and the Commander marches off the head of the troops. Laurencia leads the peasants to help Mengo and Frondoso, but sees that he’s unhurt. She’s charmed by his bravery and confesses her love to him.

Act 2

Scene 3

While the Commander is away Laurencia and Frondoso decide to get married to the joy of their parents and the entire village.

Only Jacinta perturbs the joy of marriage for a moment with her painful memories, but

Laurencia and Pascuala manage to involve her in the feast.

The Commander returns at the height of jubilation. He remembers the offence, orders to catch Frondoso and put him into prison. Laurencia who dares to speak in defense of her groom, is taken into custody.

Scene 4

The inhabitants of the village gather for a meeting. Their opinions are different: some of them want to immediately take a revenge of the cruel sovereign, others cowardly keep silence. In the middle of debates Laurencia comes running. She looks terrible: tousled hair, dress in blood and ulcer on her body. Her emotional speech about the humiliation and torments greatly impress the audience. Laurencia encourages people to rise in rebellion against the Commander. Her final argument is: if there are no men in the village, women can defend their honor themselves. It settles the case: all of the inhabitants rush to storm the sovereign’s castle.

Scene 5

The rebels march towards the Commander’s castle. His soldiers can’t withstand the onslaught of the rebels and retreat. Frondoso is released from the prison and defeats Gomez in a furious battle.

Rebellious people swear to defend their freedom.