Latin School Plays in European Drama. A Transregional and Multilingual Account of Joseph Plays (1500–1700)

Abstract

In this article I integrate school drama, mainly in Latin, with other types of drama during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. I do so by exploring connections between adaptations of one of the most frequently dramatised biblical stories of the time: Joseph and his brothers. I make two key arguments. First, sixteenth-century Latin school drama had a lasting impact not only on subsequent school plays but also on other theatrical traditions; tracing this influence, however, poses methodological challenges. Second, biblical drama is best understood not as a specific dramatic form but as a category defined by its content, with its form evolving over time. While humanist biblical comedy and Jesuit tragedy have been extensively analysed, less attention has been paid to how biblical narratives were adapted into other genres. Focusing on Joseph’s story, I demonstrate its transition from school drama into a variety of theatrical forms, including morality plays, romantic comedy, history plays, the auto sacramental, ballet, musical drama and the oratorio. These adaptations provide valuable insights into how biblical stories were continuously reshaped by successive generations. Ultimately, the article argues that Latin school drama played a significant role in European theatre, exerting its influence through evolving dramatic forms and genres.