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The metaphor of the theatre of the world is a long-lasting one: from antiquity to our own days through the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Baroque, the idea of the world as a stage has been the core of both dramatic writings and discourses on drama. By considering the metaphor and its meanings in a broad chronological perspective, the seminar aims to identify key moments in its evolution. In particular, it will focus on the ways in which – within the production of early modern morality plays – the metaphor of the theatrum mundi regained its literal meaning by being represented on stage. Along with a selection of allegorical plays and relevant visual materials, we will consider theoretical sources including classical and Christian authors, neo-platonic writings and medieval exegesis, Renaissance thinkers such as Pico della Mirandola and modern philosophers such as Walter Benjamin.