Examining the “Pirandellian” Through Theatre and Literature of Pirandello and Eduardo de Filippo



‘Pirandellian’ is a term that entered into the Italian language in the 1920s. Outside of a theatrical setting the word has little use apart from its origin as related to the noble prize winner Luigi Pirandello. Today the word ‘Pirandellian’ has come to signify: “complex, sinuous, nebulous, self-contained, incomprehensible and contradictory.” A ‘Pirandellian’ character is defined by his bipolarity or even by his schizophrenia. The origin of the term is relevant insofar as ‘Pirandellismo’ (or the world vision of Pirandello) expresses an identity crisis of subjectivity and of bourgeois consciousness that defines European and Italian literature of the early 20th century.

Students will analyze the birth of ‘Pirandellismo’ through the study of selected literary and theatrical works of Pirandello, specifically those in which the theme of insanity (as in Enrico IV) become a form of rebellion against the morality and expectations of early 20th century society which was in some ways defined by a “masking” of the true self. According to Pirandello, the “masking” of self covers and hides but does not eliminate the essential qualities of men.

Students will also consider the influence of ‘Pirandellismo’ on the great authors of the successive generation especially Eduardo De Filippo by means of the literary and theatrical characterization of ‘the Pirandellian’ which has continued to exert an influence into contemporary theater and literature. This will be accomplished through the presentation of a rich body of documentation including video of dramatic productions and through the written works of Pirandello and Eduardo de Filippo