Resumen de Teresa of Ávila as literary trope and the co-patronage debate

Elizabeth Teresa Howe

• This article is an examination of the poetry and prose composed initially for the beatification and canonization of Teresa of Ávila and later in efforts to name her co-patron of Spain. The so-called Teresianistas included Cervantes, Lope and Góngora as well as the Discalced Carmelite sisters Cecilia del Nacimiento and María de San Alberto. In opposition was Quevedo, who defended Santiago’s singularity as patron. The present study juxtaposes the arguments for and against co-patronage of Saint Teresa and exposes the underlying misogyny of Quevedo in contrast to the nascent feminism of the Teresianistas.