Abstract

In less than a century (from 1532 to 1618-1619 more or less) the parable of the prodigal son led the role in six dramatic plays (two comedies and four sacramental plays), showing it success and easy employment of its doctrine and exemplarity. The most attractive episode for the dramatic recreation is found in the description of the dissolute life of the prodigal son in the town (the world). All the playwrights create these scenes following the same structure and dramatic motifs. This aspect proves in this period the existence of a uniform cultural thought of what a dissolute life means.