Neo-Latin Drama in Early Modern Europe

From ca. 1300 a new genre developed in European literature, Neo-Latin drama. Building on medieval drama, vernacular theatre and classical drama, it spread around Europe. It was often used as a means to educate young boys in Latin, in acting and in moral issues. Comedies, tragedies and mixed forms were written. The Societas Jesu employed Latin drama in their education and public relations on a large scale. They had borrowed the concept of this drama from the humanist and Protestant gymnasia, and perfected it to a multi media show. However, the genre does not receive the attention that it deserves. In this volume, a historical overview of this genre is given, as well as analyses of separate plays.

Contributors include: Jan Bloemendal, Jean-Frederic Chevalier, Cora Dietl, Mathieu Ferrand, Howard Norland, Joaquin Pascual Barea, Fidel Radle, and Raija Sarasti Willenius.