Learning objectives
Students will gain advanced knowledge of Latin literature in the age of humanism and of the tools required to read and interpret its authors.
Prerequisites
Students must have obtained 10 learning credits in the scientific subject area of 'Latin Language and Literature'.
Course unit content
<p>The course is structured as follows: a) background to Latin literature in the age of humanism; b) illustration of Petrarch’s epic, Africa; c) reading and analysis of and commentary upon Africa 5, 20-70 in which the poet displays considerable familiarity with the classical poets with several echoes of Virgil, Ovid, etc.) in his description of feminine beauty, and at the same time a sensitivity which goes beyond the rigid bounds of medieval descriptio personae, and which would also be applied in lyrical poetry in the vernacular. </p>
Bibliography
1) Fourteenth- and fifteenth-century Italian literature. <br />
2) G. M. Anselmi, G. Forni, G. Ledda, L'UMANESIMO E IL RINASCIMENTO, ROMA CAROCCI, 2003. <br />
3) F. Rico, IL SOGNO DELL'UMANESIMO, TORINO, EINAUDI, 1998. <br />
4) G. MARTELLOTTI, Linee di sviluppo dell'umanesimo petrarchesco, in G.M., Scritti petrarcheschi, Padova 1983, pp.110-140. <br />
5) V. FERA, La filologia del Petrarca e i fondamenti della filologia umanistica, in Il Petrarca latino e le origini dell'umanesimo, «QP» IX-X 1992-1993, pp. 367-91. <br />
6) S. RIZZO, Il latino nell'umanesimo, in Letteratura italiana, V, Le questioni, edited by A. ASOR ROSA, Torino, Einaudi, 1986, pp. 379-408. <br />
7) S. RIZZO, Il latino del Petrarca e il latino dell'umanesimo, in Il Petrarca latino e le origini dell'umanesimo, «QP» IX-X 1992-1993, pp. 349-365. <br />
8) D. COPPINI, Ritratti al femminile nella poesia latina del Quattrocento, in Immaginare l’autore. Il ritratto del letterato nella cultura umanistica. Conference proceedings (Florence 26-27 May 1998), edited by G. Lazzi and P. Viti. Firenze 2000, pp. ? <br />
Teaching methods
Classroom lectures and exercises plus weekly tutorials. <br />
The exam consists of an oral exam covering the various syllabus topics. <br />
