Hermann Kirchner's "Sapientia Solomonis"

Abstract

Hermann Kirchner, of Marburg, adapted for the stage the Sapientia Solomonis of Sixt Birck in 1591 and in the same year falls, according to the Preface, the beginning of the Coriolanus.1 As the Sapientia Solomonis was performed in June of that year and as the Preface to Coriolanus, dated Idibus Aug. 1599, says it was nearly eight years ago that he began the work, it would seem that the Sapientia Solomonis is the prior production. The title-page2 shows the origin and history of the piece. Scherer pointed out3 the fact that the interpolation of the comic scenes was from Frischlin's Rebecca. Keller refers4 to the performance of a modified version of Birck's Sapientia Solomonis in England before Queen Elizabeth (at Oxford or Cambridge) in 1565 or 1566. As far as I have been able to learn we do not know of any performance of this play of Birck's in Germany up to the one of Kirchner's version in Marburg in 1591. The existence of a printed copy of the play before this adaptation by Kirchner was unknown to Goedeke. It is well known now that it is included in the Dramata Sacra, Comoediae atque tragoediae aliquot e Veteri Testamento desumptae (Basileae, 1547). Kirchner's Preface gives some information about the history of the adaptation. It opens with a general argument in favor of the drama as a source of pleasure to the eyes, ears, and mind, as well as a source of various kinds of profit. The school drama is not merely a diversion but a prelude or preparation for the pulpit, the teacher's desk, and the tribune in public life and in the courts; Cicero is said to have received valuable aid, as an orator, from the friendship and emulation of Roscius, the actor, and Demosthenes also received