This article aims to make a contribution to the study of the political dimension of Spanish Golden Age public theatre from one of its most
characteristic features: the controversy about its moral licitness. This requires that we begin with an analysis of the Sate paradigm, due to its predominance upon this kind of studies until now. Then, from an
historical-conceptual analysis, we are going to examine the Primeras
Ordenanzas de Teatro (1608), placing them in the context of the skirmishes about the moral licitness of theatre and the necessity or not of definitely banning it (beginnings of the 17th century). To analyze this source with the aid of other documents from that time will allow us to estimate both the relevance of the State paradigm to understand the Hispanic Monarchy’s apprehension of Golden Age public theatre and to suggest possible alternative interpretations.