Dimissuri eum sumus sine spectaculo? (Aug. In Ps. 39,9). Agostino e il teatro della predicazione

The theatrical dimension of Augustine's sermons is investigated, as a consequence of his being a conscious and skillful heir of ancient school rhetoric: as a matter of fact, contiguity between orator and actor pertains to the Graeco-Roman view of oratory and is apparent also in Christian homiletics. A penchant for theatre and for any kind of public show belongs to Augustine Christian public; therefore, the bishop has to figure out strategies to render his preachings attractive, whenever he has to compete with profane shows, often occurring on the same days as Christian liturgies. The bishop of Hippo takes advantage of two main theatrical strategies: 1. he appropriates public shows to the Church, and lists the many spectacula Christiana that the Christians should enjoy; 2. he often hints at the scene of the homiletic performance, and, most importantly, sometimes he acts as a movie director, arranging the scene for the display of God's mirabilia in front of his audience (serm. 320-323)