By 1562, the auto-da-fé ceremonies of the Spanish Inquisition reached their peak, transforming into public spectacles of confession, punishment, and execution. These events, which included the burning of heretics, were designed to reinforce the power of the Inquisition and the Catholic Church across Spain and its colonies. The auto-da-fé not only reflected the religious fervor of the time but also served as a tool of social control and intimidation.

The Inquisition's censorship and terror haunted poets across Catholic Europe; it forced mystical poets like John of the Cross and Teresa of Ávila to write in coded spiritual metaphors, reshaping religious lyric traditions. Their works often conveyed profound spiritual truths while navigating the dangers of persecution, influencing later poets who grappled with faith and doubt.