Segismundo is a character from the play "La vida es sueño" written by Spanish playwright Pedro Calderón de la Barca in the 17th century. He is the son of King Basilio and is imprisoned at birth due to a prophecy that foretold he would bring disaster to the kingdom. Segismundo grows up in isolation, unaware of his royal lineage. The play explores themes of free will, fate, and the nature of reality. When Segismundo is finally released from his prison, he struggles to understand his identity and the world around him, leading to profound philosophical questions about life and existence.