Esperienze di giustizia nel personaggio teatrale del Settecento a Milano

Over the period preceding and during that of Empress Maria Theresa, in what way did theatre culture- mainly drama written, published and above all staged in Milan- play a part in the movement of ideas which sthenghened the demand for justice, explained its nature and moved towards a change in man's life? How relevant was theatre, a typical activuty among aristocrats, in uniting and nourishing the imagination of a network of intellectuals that, not without risk, believed and developed a 'practical knowledge focused on the idea of justice, originating from thought and moving towards reality?Were the relationships between these intellectuals based on correspondence? Or were they friends supporting and acknowledging one onother, thus able to trigger long term movements and latent streams? With reference to these questions, the essay will examine the theatre character in some fundamental texts such as those of Giuseppe Gorini Corio and Metastasio regarding tragey and melodrama. The essay explores also the relevance of theatre imaginary within the efforts to reform justice, with specific reference to Cesare Beccaria.