Volgarizzare il teatro della riforma: la Comedia piacevole (Phasma) di Nicodemus Frischlin

The article examines the case of the Italian translation of the Phasma, a comedy written by Nicodemus Frischlin (performed in 1580 and published posthumously in 1590), as well as the political and theological con- text in which the play was born. The Italian version was printed in 1612 by Sebastian Müller in Augsburg providing a false location (Romanopoli), and was entitled "Comedia piacevole della vera, antica, romana, catolica et apostolica chiesa". The new title as well as the addition of a false letter by Ferdinand I to Luther, which explains how Charles V’s brother would join the Reformation, enlighten the background of the translation. Hence, this can be regarded as an operation of religious proselytism achieved through literature. Furthermore, the article o ers the complete edition of the Commedia with a brief comment.