Un mensaje rescrito: los cuatro introitos del Aucto de la oveja perdida de Joan Timoneda

The Aucto de la oveja perdida was first published in Valencia by its author, Joan Timoneda, in 1558 in a Ternario Espiritual dedicated to archbishop Francisco de Navarra. It was published a second time in 1575 in a Ternario Sacramental dedicated to archbishop Juan de Ribera. In the two editions the prologues to the play are addressed differently: in the first to the archbishop of Valencia, in the second to the gathered assembly or “people”. Between the first and second editions there are a series of changes among various fragments addressed to the archbishops —changes that, we believe, were not made solely with the intent of renewing the play on the occasion of the arrival of a new prelate. Considering the context of the Counter-Reformation during which Timoneda published his two Ternarios, and the question of the Moors and their conversion to Christianity —issues of prime importance in Valenicia at that time— it is possible that the motive of Joan Timoneda’s changes was in fact ideological and inspired by a desire to have the prologues accord more fully with Tridentine precepts.