Theatrum Mundi

Zur Konjunktur der Theatrum-Metapher im 16. und 17. Jahrhundert als Ort der Wissenskompilation und zu ihrer literarischen Umsetzung im Großen Welttheater

Abstract

During the sixteenth and seventeenth century, book titles in fields such as medicine, science and history frequently used the metaphor of a theatre. In literature, this metaphor was extended to the concept of a theatre of the world, namely theatrum mundi. This became a widespread phenomenon across Europe, present, for example, in the works of Shakespeare and Lohenstein, and of Calderón, who named one of his works El gran teatro del mundo (The Great Theatre of the World, 1655). Calderón collected, arranged and interpreted a variety of mythological, religious and historical materials in his works. El gran teatro del mundo also deals with the latest scientific discoveries and discussions. Calderón used the theatrum metaphor to represent temporal and spiritual power and to justify the divine right of kings. By naming his drama the great theatre of the world, he distinguished his literary use of the metaphor from its use in the sciences and the other arts.