Uploaded September 2019 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Peter Helland finally found the english translation of the last ten pages of William Prynne's classic 1000 page book called "Histrio-Mastix, The Players Scourge, or Actors Tragaedie." published in 1633. These last ten pages were from the famous Jesuit theologian, Juan De Mariana and his book, De rege et regis institutione libri III or The King and the Education of the King. Chapter 15 was titled De Spectaculis or Theatre in English. Prynne gave his reason for finishing his book: "And because no dissolute Libertines, or licentious Readers through Satans or the worlds delusions, should cheat their soules of the benefit intended to them by this worke, out of a prejudicate opinion, that it is overstrict, and more then puritanically invective against Players Playes and Theaters; to prevent this fond evasion, and to put all exclaiming Play-patriots to perpetuall silence ...... I shall here by way of Conclusion, close up this whole Discourse, with the words of JOANNIS MARIANA, a famous Spanish Jesuit; who ...... in his book De Rege & Regum Institutione page 341 to 351 .... delivered his positive and deliberate resolution against Players, Playes, and Play-houses in these ensuing termes, which is every way as harsh, as rigid and precise as any verdict that either I myselfe or any other fore-quoted Authors have here past against them. His words well worthy all Players and Play-haunters consideration are these." How much of our screen time would the Church Fathers classify and condemn under theater?
Peter Helland finally found the english translation of the last ten pages of William Prynne's classic 1000 page book called "Histrio-Mastix, The Players Scourge, or Actors Tragaedie." published in 1633. These last ten pages were from the famous Jesuit theologian, Juan De Mariana and his book, De rege et regis institutione libri III or The King and the Education of the King. Chapter 15 was titled De Spectaculis or Theatre in English. Prynne gave his reason for finishing his book: "And because no dissolute Libertines, or licentious Readers through Satans or the worlds delusions, should cheat their soules of the benefit intended to them by this worke, out of a prejudicate opinion, that it is overstrict, and more then puritanically invective against Players Playes and Theaters; to prevent this fond evasion, and to put all exclaiming Play-patriots to perpetuall silence ...... I shall here by way of Conclusion, close up this whole Discourse, with the words of JOANNIS MARIANA, a famous Spanish Jesuit; who ...... in his book De Rege & Regum Institutione page 341 to 351 .... delivered his positive and deliberate resolution against Players, Playes, and Play-houses in these ensuing termes, which is every way as harsh, as rigid and precise as any verdict that either I myselfe or any other fore-quoted Authors have here past against them. His words well worthy all Players and Play-haunters consideration are these." How much of our screen time would the Church Fathers classify and condemn under theater?
