[39.5] que. Used instead of porque to mean 'for' or 'because'; it occurs repeatedly in this sense in Los intereses creados, and is, in general, common in all sorts of language, particularly in poetry; but porque more strongly expresses the idea of cause, whereas this que expresses an additional fact without stressing that fact as a cause.
[40.1] que. See preceding note.
[40.2] Lope de Rueda. A famous itinerant actor-manager and playwright of the middle of the sixteenth century; he is regarded as the founder of the modern Spanish theater.
Shakespeare. Linked with the old farces by such works as A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Molière. Influenced, particularly in his early plays, by the commedia dell'arte.
[40.3] guiñolesca. An adjective formed from the Spanish guiñol derived from the French guignol, meaning 'Punch' or 'the theater of Punch.'
[40.4] comedia del Arte. See page 118.
[40.5] italiano. We should expect italiana, in agreement with comedia; either italiano is a misprint, or it is attracted by the gender of the masculine Arte.
[40.6] niñerías. See note [7.3].
[41.1] diga. Subjunctive on account of the general command involved in the stage directions, which makes the relative clause indefinite.