ITALIAN LITERATURE FROM 12TH TO 16TH CENTURY

THE FORMS OF HISTORY IN ITALIAN LITERATURE

The aim of this course is to show how Italian Literature, from its Origins (twefth century) to the Renaissance (sixteenth century), dealt with historical matter and with history in general, by means of set of selected readings.

Knowledge of the main texts of ancient Italian literature dealing with history and historiography.

A good knowledge of Italian language. General knowledge of the historical progress of Italian Literature. General knowledge of Medieval and Renaissaissance history.

1. Writing history in Italian Literature: premises, preludes, first steps
2. Between chronicles and vernacular translations: writing history during the thirteenth century
3. Writing history in Florence: Dino Compagni
4. Dante and history
5. Fourteenth century historiography: between Florence and Italy
6. Petrarch and history
7. From history to novel
8. Boccaccio and history
9. The Renaissance sense of past: humanistic historiography

Selection of texts available on the Moodle page.

This should be integrated, especially for the introductions to each author, by every good university companion (G. Alfano, P. Italia, E. Russo, F. Tomasi, “Letteratura italiana. Dalle origini a metà Cinquecento. Manuale per studi universitari”, Milano, Mondadori, 2018; A. Battistini, “Storia della letteratura italiana”, Bologna, il Mulino, 2014; G. Ferroni, “Storia della letteratura italiana”, Milano, Mondadori Università, 2012; G. Tellini, “Letteratura italiana. Un metodo di studio. Seconda edizione”, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2014 and reprints; C. Vecce, “Piccola storia della letteratura italiana”, Napoli, Liguori, 2009; F. Brioschi, C. Di Girolamo, “Manuale di letteratura italiana. Storia per generi e problemi”, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 1994-1997 and reprints) can be used.

Acquire an edition with commentary of Dante's Divina Commedia

Other texts (not mandatory):

a) Rhetorics (one among)

- H. Lausberg, Elementi di Retorica, Bologna, il Mulino, 1969 (e ristampe)
- B. Mortara Garavelli, Manuale di Retorica, Milano, Bompiani, 1989 (e ristampe)

b) Metre

- P. Beltrami, La metrica italiana, Bologna, il Mulino, 2012

c) Historical grammar

- G. Patota, Nuovi lineamenti di grammatica storica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2007

Oral examination based on questions about the author and his works. Comment on the texts
discussed during the course.

The course is founded on the traditional form of the so called frontal lessons.

Italian

oral