116-419 Dante 2

Completion of 37.5 points at either post-beginners or post-VCE sequence for third year, admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in Italian for fourth year. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed 37.5 points of European studies at second/third year, see Prerequisites.

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 more easily the originality of Dante's poem. The historical and political context of Purgatorio and Paradiso will be examined in order to render the two cantiche more accessible to the students. By the end of the subject students should be able to analyse the poetic techniques employed by Dante. Students should have acquired an understanding of medieval culture in order to appreciate Purgatorio and Paradiso in their historical context.

A 2-hour written test and an essay of 2000 words for 3rd year, 3000 words for 4th year.

• D Alighieri, Purgatorio. Sapegno (ed), La Nuova Italia.
• D Alighieri, Paradiso. Sapegno (ed), La Nuova Italia.
• D Alighieri, The Divine Comedy. Everyman.