This course will focus on Ariosto’s Furioso (1532), Tasso’s Liberata (1581-1584) and Tassoni’s Secchia rapita (1630), which we will read in light of the most up-to-date criticism and in the context of the main Renaissance theories on epic. Throughout the course, we will address the question of what constitutes the ‘heroic’ and ‘mock-heroic’ on the stylistic and anthropological level. The seminar style of the course will require the constant and informed participation of all. Students will give one or more presentations and write three short papers. The course will be conducted in Italian.



Texts: L. Ariosto, Orlando furioso; T. Tasso, Gerusalemme liberata. The Secchia rapita and all secondary readings will be available in a reader.

(1 Unit)