The course aims to provide specific tools for the study and analysis of literary texts from the Italian Middle Ages. Through the in-depth reading of a work, or group of works, the student will acquire an interpretative model based on the interweaving of different types of knowledge - historical-literary, linguistic-philological, doctrinaire, artistic - particularly suitable for grasping the complex physiognomy of the medieval literary text and its peculiarities.
teacher profile teaching materials
The course aims to offer a comprehensive and in-depth reading of Dante's "Purgatorio." Defined by the historian Jacques Le Goff as the "poetic triumph" of the purgatorial realm, the second cantica of the "Commedia" represents the first and most significant artistic elaboration of this afterlife zone, the existence of which had been definitively recognized by the Church only a few years earlier (1274). Special attention will be given to the ways in which the poet constructs an extremely detailed and profoundly coherent space from multiple perspectives (cosmological, theological, penitential). Its various sources will be examined, with special attention to the religious practices and the theological speculation of the time. Furthermore, the course will delve deeply into Dante's reflection on poetry in this cantica: from his encounters with Casella, the troubadour Sordello, and the classical poet Statius; to his investigation of fame and artistic progress in Canto 11, and the pivotal Cantos 24 and 26 where Dante engages with various predecessors, fully defining his own poetics and a tradition of reference.
- Dante, "Divina Commedia. Purgatorio", a cura di Anna Maria Chiavacci Leonardi, Milano, Mondadori, 1994 [and further editions]
NB: the "Purgatorio" must be read in its entirety.
Critical bibliography (on Moodle):
- E. Auerbach, "Sacrae scripturae sermo humilis", in Id., "Studi su Dante", Milano, Feltrinelli, 2002, pp. 167-175 [1941];
- G. Contini, "Dante come personaggio poeta", in Id., "Un’idea di Dante. Saggi danteschi", Torino, Einaudi, 20013, pp. 33-62;
- A. Pegoretti, "Dal «lito diserto» al giardino. La costruzione del paesaggio nel «Purgatorio» di Dante", Bologna, Bononia University Press, 2007.
Students not attending lectures will integrate their preparation reading the following essays (on Moodle):
- C. Delcorno, "Exemplum e letteratura tra Medioevo e Rinascimento", Bologna, il Mulino, 1989, Introduzione e pp. 195-227;
- E. Pasquini, "Il dominio metaforico", in Id., "Dante e le figure del vero. La fabbrica della «Commedia»", Milano: Bruno Mondadori, 2001, pp. 179-217
- E. Raimondi, "Rito e storia nel primo canto del «Purgatorio»", in Id., "Metafora e storia. Studi su Dante e Petrarca", Torino: Einaudi, 1977 [1970], pp. 65-94.
Mutuazione: 20710143 LETTERATURA ITALIANA DEL MEDIOEVO L.M. in Filologia, letterature e storia dell'antichità LM-15 PEGORETTI ANNA
Programme
Dante's «Purgatory»The course aims to offer a comprehensive and in-depth reading of Dante's "Purgatorio." Defined by the historian Jacques Le Goff as the "poetic triumph" of the purgatorial realm, the second cantica of the "Commedia" represents the first and most significant artistic elaboration of this afterlife zone, the existence of which had been definitively recognized by the Church only a few years earlier (1274). Special attention will be given to the ways in which the poet constructs an extremely detailed and profoundly coherent space from multiple perspectives (cosmological, theological, penitential). Its various sources will be examined, with special attention to the religious practices and the theological speculation of the time. Furthermore, the course will delve deeply into Dante's reflection on poetry in this cantica: from his encounters with Casella, the troubadour Sordello, and the classical poet Statius; to his investigation of fame and artistic progress in Canto 11, and the pivotal Cantos 24 and 26 where Dante engages with various predecessors, fully defining his own poetics and a tradition of reference.
Core Documentation
Texts:- Dante, "Divina Commedia. Purgatorio", a cura di Anna Maria Chiavacci Leonardi, Milano, Mondadori, 1994 [and further editions]
NB: the "Purgatorio" must be read in its entirety.
Critical bibliography (on Moodle):
- E. Auerbach, "Sacrae scripturae sermo humilis", in Id., "Studi su Dante", Milano, Feltrinelli, 2002, pp. 167-175 [1941];
- G. Contini, "Dante come personaggio poeta", in Id., "Un’idea di Dante. Saggi danteschi", Torino, Einaudi, 20013, pp. 33-62;
- A. Pegoretti, "Dal «lito diserto» al giardino. La costruzione del paesaggio nel «Purgatorio» di Dante", Bologna, Bononia University Press, 2007.
Students not attending lectures will integrate their preparation reading the following essays (on Moodle):
- C. Delcorno, "Exemplum e letteratura tra Medioevo e Rinascimento", Bologna, il Mulino, 1989, Introduzione e pp. 195-227;
- E. Pasquini, "Il dominio metaforico", in Id., "Dante e le figure del vero. La fabbrica della «Commedia»", Milano: Bruno Mondadori, 2001, pp. 179-217
- E. Raimondi, "Rito e storia nel primo canto del «Purgatorio»", in Id., "Metafora e storia. Studi su Dante e Petrarca", Torino: Einaudi, 1977 [1970], pp. 65-94.
Attendance
Attendance is not mandatory and will not be monitored. Instructions for making up any missed classes will be provided through the course's Moodle channel.Type of evaluation
The exam consists of an oral interview of approximately 25 minutes, focusing on the topics covered in the course. The evaluation will primarily assess the ability to read, comprehend, and comment on Dante's text, particularly the passages studied in class. At the end of the course, students will receive a comprehensive list of these passages, which will be made available also to those who were unable to attend. However, students must read the "Purgatory" in its entirety and demonstrate to command it. Presentation skills and the development of an independent critical perspective will be also assessed. Students can decide to submit a written paper on a topic agreed upon with the professor and related to the course content. This paper will replace a relevant portion of the oral exam, but it is not mandatory.