The anonymous “Le Sacrifice d’Abraham” performed before Francis I in Paris in 1539 has traditionally been treated–if at all–simply as a variant of an earlier play of the same name published as part of the 15th-century “Mistère du Viel Testament.” More recently, it has been suggested that the play anticipates the direction taken by Théodore de B…[Read more]

The anonymous “Le Sacrifice d’Abraham” performed before Francis I in Paris in 1539 has traditionally been treated–if at all–simply as a variant of an earlier play of the same name published as part of the 15th-century “Mistère du Viel Testament.” More recently, it has been suggested that the play anticipates the direction taken by Théodore de B…[Read more]

Théodore de Bèze (1519-1605), French Reformer and Professor at Lausanne and Geneva, wrote his only play, “Abraham sacrifiant,” in 1550. The only readily available English translation, by Arthur Golding, was published in 1577. The translation offered here, based on the text of the original edition reproduced by Donald Stone, Jr. in “Four R…[Read more]

Four lectures, condensed and sanitized, based on those given to undergraduate students embarking for the first time on the serious study of the history of Western theatre. Unembellished by references to student readings or ad hoc example, by elaborations in response to student questions, or by professorial attempts at humour, they make for…[Read more]

Ibn Rushd, long recognized as an important contributor to Western philosophy, was at the same time the loser in the debate between religion and philosophy in the Islamic world. There is evidence, however, that this 12th-century philosopher is beginning to play a larger role among 21st -century liberal Muslims. The present essay, by a…[Read more]