"La cueva de Salamanca" ("The Cave of Salamanca") is an entremés written by Miguel de Cervantes. It was originally published in 1615 in a collection called Ocho comedias y ocho entremeses nuevos, nunca representados. Plot summary The head of the household, Pancracio, is about to leave for a four-day trip and his wife Leonarda appears to be deeply saddened by his departure. In reality, Leonarda is not the least bit saddened by her husband’s absence. In fact, she eagerly awaits the times he is away so that she may entertain guests. However, this time, soon after her husband leaves, a stranger appears at the door asking for a place to stay. Leonarda and her servant decide to put up the weary traveler, who identifies himself as a student from Salamanca who has fallen on hard times. When her two guests Reponces and Nicolás arrive, they make fun of the student's clothing and apparent lack of money. But, the women defend the presence of the student and they all proceed to have a good time. Then, when Pancracio unexpectedly returns home that evening due to transportation issues, the student's wit and stories save Leonarda, permitting her deception to remain unnoticed (at least for another night). Characters Pancracio: The husband of Leonarda who is unaware of his wife's deception. The ease with which he accepts new ideas as truth isn't stupidity but rather is a result of his curiosity to know new things (Ezquerro 49). The entire work can be said to express the power of illusion, driven by a desire to know what is considered forbidden knowledge (Ezquerro 46). Leonarda: The wife of Pancracio. She puts on the appearance of being a devout wife who is sad whenever her husband has to leave the house. However, she likes to take advantage of the times her husband is away to throw parties and invite other men over to the house Cristina: Leonarda's servant and partner in crime Carraolano: A student from Salamanca, he is the unexpected visitor that arrives at Pancracio and Leonarda’s house soon after Pancracio departs. The student is a fast thinker and is very witty. It can be said that the power of the student lies with his language- he knows Latin, incantations, and has a solid mastery of using double language (Ezquerro 48). It is notable that he went from being an absolute stranger to having food in