29028 - Italian Renaissance Literature (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of this class, students are expected to demonstrate a broad knowledge of Italian Renaissance literature, using examples which usually are not explained in school textbooks. They are expected to be able to discuss Italian Renaissance literature in technical, philological and, when it is possible, interdisciplinary terms.

Course contents

Mythos and ethos in Tasso’s Gerusalemme liberata

The course is dedicated to Tasso's Gerusalemme liberata (1581). Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between the construction of the myth ("favola" as Tasso calls it) and the ethics of the characters. Particular attention will also be paid to the Aristotelian theory of Poetics and to Tasso's theoretical reflections before (Discorsi dell'arte poetica) and after the composition of the poem (Lettere poetiche). To give an account of a "modern" narrative like that of Tasso, within which it is the ethos of the characters that moves the Aristotelian myth, ample space will also be dedicated to the antagonistic narrative model, with which Tasso compares himself, that is, the so-called “romance” by Boiardo and Ariosto.

Readings/Bibliography

- Gerusalemme liberata: edition with the commentary of F. Tomasi, Milano, Rizzoli-Bur, 2009 (recomanded) or the Gigante-Artico edition (Milano, Mondadori, 2023), excellent for the introduction, even if equipped with a more essential commentary. Other good commentaries: B. Maier, Milano, Rizzoli-Bur, 1963; L. Caretti, Torino, Einaudi, 1971; L. Caretti, Milano, Mondadori, 1979 II ed. (with Gierusalemme and first writing of canti IV, V, IX, XII); M. Guglielminetti, Milano, Garzanti, 1982; F. Chiappelli, Milano, Rusconi, 1982; C. Varese - G. Arbizzoni, Milano, Mursia, 1983; G. Cerboni Baiardi, Modena, Panini, 1991.A complete reading and a general knowledge of Gerusalemme liberata is required. The sections to be studied in depth are listed below: I; II (ott. 1-53); III; IV; V (ott. 1-59); VI (ott. 54-114); VII (ott. 1-49); VIII (ott. 1-46); X (ott. 1-56); XI (ott. 1-18; 53-67); XII; XIII; XIV (ott. 1-19; 50-79); XV (ott. 24-32; 55-66); XVI; XVII (ott. 83-97); XVIII; XIX (ott. 1-28; 56-119); XX. In addition to the poem and the materials uploaded to Virtuale, attending students will have to prepare two critical readings among those listed below:

- G. Baldassarri, «Inferno» e «cielo». Tipologia e funzione del «meraviglioso» nella «Liberata», Roma, Bulzoni, 1977.

- E. Raimondi, Poesia come retorica, Firenze, Olschki, 1980, pp. 25-70 (Poesia della retorica).

- E. Raimondi, Poesia come retorica, Firenze, Olschki, 1980, pp. 71-202 (Il dramma nel racconto). With notes and translation of latin quotations in Id., Un teatro delle idee. Ragione e immaginazione dal Rinascimento al Romanticismo, Milano, Rizzoli, 2011; or as Introduzione to Gerusalemme liberata, a cura di B. Maier, Bur-Rizzoli.

- S. Zatti, L'uniforme cristiano e il multiforme pagano, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 1983, pp. 9-44 (L'uniforme critiano e il multiforme pagano) e 91-144 (Erranza, infermità e conquista: le figure del conflitto). English translation in S. Zatti, The Quest for Epic, Toronto-Buffalo-London, Toronto University Press, 2006, pp. 135-59 (Christian Uniformity, Pagan Multiplicity) and pp. 160-194 (Errancy, Infirmity, and Conquest: Figures of Conflict).

- E. Raimondi, Rinascimento inquieto, Torino, Einaudi, 1994 (II ed.), pp. 145-159 (Un episodio del «Gierusalemme», 1962); pp. 307-348 (Vitalità di un narratore e Il poeta passionato ).

- C. Scarpati, Tasso, i classici e i moderni, Padova, Antenore, 1995, pp. 1-74 (Geometrie petrarchesche nella «Gerusalemme liberata»).

- S. Zatti, L'ombra del Tasso. Epica e romanzo nel Cinquecento, Milano, Bruno Mondadori, 1996, pp. 1-27 (Tasso contro Ariosto?) e pp. 111-145 (Il linguaggio della dissimulazione nella «Liberata»).

- M. Residori, Armida e Proteo, in «Italique», 1999, 2, pp. 115-142 (also on line http://italique.revues.org/202 ).

- F. Tomasi (a cura di), Lettura della «Gerusalemme liberata», Alessandria, Ed. dell'Orso, 2005 (one of the twenty studies).

- C. Gigante, Tasso, Roma, Salerno ed., 2007, pp. 52-94 e 124-168 (capp. II-III; V-VI).

- A. Soldani, Le voci della poesia. Sette capitoli sulle forme discorsive, Roma, Carocci, 2010, pp. 115-143 (Forme della narrazione nel Tasso epico).

- F. Ferretti, Pudicizia e «virtù donnesca» nella «Gerusalemme liberata», in «Griseldaonline» 13, 2013, pp. 1-43, http://www.griseldaonline.it/temi/pudore/pudicizia-virtu-gerusalemme-liberata-ferretti.html

Non-attending students (all those who have not attended at least 20 of the 30 scheduled hours are invited to consider themselves as such; i.e. 10/15 lessons). In addition to the passages of the poem indicated above, non-attending students will have to study M. Residori, Tasso, il Mulino, 2009 (pp. 1-33 and 55-108); and E. Russo, Guida alla lettura della “Gerusalemme liberata” di Tasso, Bari, Laterza, 2014; as well as four critical essays among those listed above.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Teaching methods

15 (two hours) traditional lessons.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of an oral appointment (approximately 30 minutes). Attending students will be invited to reflect on some aspects analyzed during the course and will be encouraged to interact with the knowledge

acquired in class with the entrusted program for individual study. Non-attending students, however, will be examinated only on the texts, the manuals and the chosen essays. A positive or excellent score (27 to 30/30, with possible distinction) corresponds to a full mastering of technical, theoretical, historical and terminological resources of XV and XVI-Centuries Literature, and to a proved ability to make connections among single aspects of the course contents, and to show awareness of textual features with appropriate language; an average score (23 to 26/30) goes to students who reveal some lacks in one or more topics or analytical proofs, or are able to use just mechanically their ability in interpretation; a pass or low score (18 to 22/30) to students with severe lacks in one or more topics or exercises, or not enough accurate while they use or quote notions and samples. A negative score is to be assigned to students who are not able to recall general notions in a sample of text and/or in general.

Students should sign up at the AlmaEsami web site (https://almaesami.unibo.it). The registration ends two days before the oral examination.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

The presented teaching material (literary texts, images and possibly video material) will be projected on the classroom multimedia blackboard and made available on VIRTUALE.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Ferretti