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Biblical drama
(781 words)

In the broader sense the term biblical drama encompasses all such theatrical compositions as rely on biblical materials. In the narrower sense it means a type of drama widespread especially in Protestant territories in the 16th and early 17th centuries, the genesis and increased validity are to be seen in the context of humanistic and (Counter-)Reformation efforts.

The fertile dialogue between humanist scholars (Humanism) and ancient comedy (Terence) and tragedy (Seneca) (Antiquity, reception of) facilitated the development and establishment of new theatrical princip…

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Tschopp, Silvia Serena, “Biblical drama”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_SIM_017580>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20160907



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