116-419 Dante 2

Note

Available as 116-319 at 3rd-year level.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

116-318/418 To Hell with Dante.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject will complete the study of the Divina commedia begun with the Inferno. It will build on techniques already acquired by students in their previous study of Dante. The subject will place the two cantiche in their medieval context so that students will able to grasp the originality of Dante's conception of Purgatory and Paradise. The historical and political context of both cantiche will be examined in order to render Dante's meanings more accessible to the contemporary reader. An analysis of the poetic qualities of both Purgatorio and Paradiso will lead to, in the case of Paradiso, a discussion of Dante's poetics: describing the indescribable. It is expected that students will become familiar with some of the fundamental concepts underlying this most challenging of poems. The subject will place emphasis on detailed analysis of selected passages of both Purgatorio and Paradiso. In this way, students will refine their techniques of poetic interpretation which will be used to gain an understanding of Dante's poetic style.

Assessment

One 2-hour written examination; one essay of not more than 3000 words (3rd year). One 2-hour written examination; one essay of not more than 4000 words (4th year).

Prescribed Texts

See Italian Studies Course Handbook for details.