The “Sacra Rappresentazione” in Medicean Florence (15th-16th Centuries) - La sacra rappresentazione della Firenze medicea (XV-XVI secolo)

This writing concerns the “sacra rappresentazione” (sacred play) a dramatic genre peculiar to fifteenth-century Florence. Its structure is characterized by a dialogue in verse (octaves composed by hendecasyllables), captions in prose and a prologue (“Annuncio”) and an epilogue (“licenza”) delivered by an angel. Its topics were taken from the Bible, from sermons and from hagiographic literature. The paper describes how and why this particular type of theatre was “invented” under the rule of the Medici, explaining that it was a means to educate Florentine children to be good Christians and good citizens once they became adults. The analysis of some of the most important texts from the mid-Quattrocento to the end of the century ( Feo Belcari’s “Play of Abraam and Isaac”, Piero di Mariano Muzi’s “Play of the Fatted Calf”, Antonio di Meglio’s and Belcari’s Play of the Judgement Day”, Lorenzo de’ Medici’s “Play of Saint John and Paul”, Castellano Castellani’s “Play of the Prodigal son”) reveals how the religious topics of the “sacre rappresentazioni” were treated in a way to express even a political message of civil obedience to the city government