Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preliminary Material -- Introduction -- 1 The Medieval Exegesis on the Parable of the Prodigal Son -- 2 The Voice of the Preacher: Late Medieval Model Sermons -- 3 Italian Preaching on the Prodigal Son: From Bernardino da Siena to Savonarola -- 4 The Layman, the Woman, and the Priest: Three Florentine Dramas on the Prodigal Son -- 5 Fifty Sermons on the Prodigal Son: Johann Meder’s Quadragesimale novum de filio prodigo  -- 6 The Sixteenth-Century Prodigal Son: A Multiple Mirror -- Epilogue -- Illustrations -- Bibliography -- Subject Index -- Index of Names and Places -- Index of Biblical Quotations -- Index of Manuscripts.

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In the Mirror of the Prodigal Son provides a comprehensive history of the function of the parable of the prodigal son in shaping religious identity in medieval and Reformation Europe. By investigating a wealth of primary sources, the book reveals the interaction between commentaries, sermons, religious plays, and images as a decisive factor in the increasing popularity of the prodigal son. Pietro Delcorno highlights the ingenious and multifaceted uses of the parable within pastoral activities and shows the pervasive presence of the Bible in medieval communication. The prodigal son narrative became the ideal story to convey a discourse about sin and penance, grace and salvation. In this way, the parable was established as the paradigmatic biography of any believer.

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