116-463 Italian Neoclassicism and Romanticism

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 consist of three separate components: Ugo Foscolo (1778-1827), poet, prose-writer and patriot, who successfully merged neoclassical and romantic themes, Giacomo Leopardi (1798-1837), poet, philosopher, classical scholar, patriot and democrat, Leopardi is renowned both for his romantic poetry and his patriotic poems, and for his critical perspective on the period leading to the Italian Risorgimento; Alessandro Manzoni (1785-1873), novelist, poet, playwright and language reformer. He is the author of the most celebrated 19th century Italian historical novel, I promessi sposi the story of a star-crossed betrothal against the background of the Spanish occupation of Lombardy in the 17th century.