Why was the point of honour a major theme in Lope de Vega’s plays?

The "point of honour," or pundonor, was a central theme in the plays of Lope de Vega because it served as a powerful symbol of the human personality and resonated deeply with the Spanish public of his time. Lope himself identified it as the most effective dramatic theme, noting that everyone is strongly moved by it.12

In the context of his work, this concept functioned as a social convention where "honour" was equated with one's reputation. For men, this meant being brave, proud, and refusing to tolerate insults; for women, it was tied to a gender code that made them the repository of family honour, which could be tarnished by even the slightest indiscretion.12

Because the comedia was essentially a social drama, these themes allowed Lope to mirror the values and emotional responses of his age. In his popular cloak and sword drama, the point of honour frequently acted as a dramatic device to create conflict, frustration, and intricate plot developments that kept audiences engaged.123