Poetry and Play: The Parody in Italian Literature



Parody is transgression and mockery according to codified norms, but it is also a playful and humorous rewriting of major texts, which, as one knows, is a serious matter. It invites broadening the horizon, bringing in fresh air, in other words: looking at the world from another prospective. Even if play is not part of the academic curriculum there are entire chapters of Italian literature dedicated to parody, written as a countermelody to the prevailing models. In this course students will be guided along an amusing journey to the discovery of parody, from Boccaccio to Umberto Eco.



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G. Tellini, Rifare il verso. La parodia nella letteratura italiana, Milano: Mondadori ("Oscar saggi"), 2008, pp. 390, euro 12. ISBN = 978-88-04-58173-4.