Note 782 — Chapter III

The De Spectaculis of Tertullian is an elaborate argument concerning the idolatrous origin and character of the theatre. He describes, in language applicable to much of the “sport” of modern times, the human wild beasts, passion-blind, agitated by bets, and out of themselves with excitement. “You have nobler joys,” he says to the Christians. “Be startled at God’s signal, roused at the angel’s trump, glory in the palms of martyrdom. Would you have blood too? There is Christ’s,” (sec. 29.) “He expatiates on the grandeur of the spectacle when the world, hoary with age, shall be consumed; contrasts with the theatre the sight of poets, players, philosophers, and kings in agonies and flames; and exults in the triumph of Christ,” (sec. 30.)