This chapter explores the idea of the dialogues as spectaculum. Licentius cast the dialogues as such, and Augustine picks up on the notion that these are texts to be watched, not read. If they are indeed presented in some way as a theatrical event before us, the readers, the following questions are raised: How are we, the audience, engaged in the action? How is the dramatis personae selected, described, stage managed? What is the relationship here between reality and action?

This chapter explores the idea of the dialogues as spectaculum. Licentius cast the dialogues as such, and Augustine picks up on the notion that these are texts to be watched, not read. If they are indeed presented in some way as a theatrical event before us, the readers, the following questions are raised: How are we, the audience, engaged in the action? How is the dramatis personae selected, described, stage managed? What is the relationship here between reality and action?