Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz (1648-1695) was famous in her time as a brilliant intellectual, poet, and playwright and is recognized in our time as an early feminist. Her masterpiece of comic theatre, "Los empenos de una casa" receives its first English translation in this edition. "The House of Trials," a romantic comedy of intrigue, mixes lyrical poetry, low puns, songs, sword fights, cross-dressing, and mistaken identities. In addition to the award-winning translation, the book contains essays discussing Sor Juana's life, the original production of the play, the unique use of asides, and various feminist interpretations of the "House of Trials.""