116-463 Italian Neoclassicism and Romanticism

Note

Available as 116-363 at 3rd-year level.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Two sequential second-year Italian subjects (33.3 credit points) (3rd year); admission to Italian Honours school (4th year).

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The course will have three directions, according to the writers under consideration. In the case of Neoclassicism, the principal focus will be provided by the poetry of Ugo Foscolo which will be considered within the much broader framework of painting, sculpture and classical archeology. In the case of Romanticism, the poetry of Giacomo Leopardi will be considered within the context of European Romanticism characterised by the importance given to sensibility, spontaneity and originality, as well as the necessary uniqueness of form and language. Alessandro Manzoni's novel, I promessi sposi, instead, will be considered as a specific product of Italian Romanticism.

Assessment

For Neoclassical/European Romanticism, one class paper and one essay, 2500 words for 3rd year, 3000 words for 4th year. For Italian Romanticism one essay on Manzoni, 2500 words for 3rd year, 3000 words for 4th year.

Prescribed Texts

• U. Foscolo, Sepolcri, odi, sonetti. a cura di Donatella Martinelli, Milan: Mondadori-Oscar Classici, 1987.
• G. Leopardi, Canti. a cura di Mario Fubini ed Emilio Bigi. Turin: Loescher (most recent edition).
• A. Manzoni, I promessi sposi. Milan: Mursia, 1992.