ITAL40330 Italian Chivalric Poetry

Academic Year 2019/2020

This module examines the evolution of Italian chivalric poetry, from its origin to the Renaissance. It then introduces core themes through the investigation of a significant case study: that is, Ludovico Ariosto’s "Orlando furioso" (1532), one of the masterpieces of Italian literature. Through a close reading of the text and the analysis of its metrical form (‘ottava rima’), content, themes, genesis, and reception, it will thus be possible to highlight the revolutionary role Ariosto exercised on the literary genre. The module combines the interpretation of the text and the historical introduction to the cultural, political, philosophical and artistic life of the court of Ferrara, where Ariosto wrote his poem. The analysis of the text will provide students with an understanding of topics that are interdisciplinary in nature, such as, the influence of politics on Renaissance arts and patronage; the links between political structures and the development of specific literary genres; the role of men of letters and poetry in Early-modern societies; irony and satire in Renaissance culture; the theory of imitation.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
- analyse the poem by Ludovico Ariosto in terms of both form and content through providing a detailed critical reading of it;
- demonstrate familiarity with the metrical form of the ‘ottava rima’;
- engage effectively in class, presenting personal ideas or critical readings orally;
- complete written assignements, focusing on content, structure, style of the analysed texts;
- write a critical essay appropriate to an MA student of Italian literature, taking due account of critical sources.

Indicative Module Content:

Students will read and analyse a selection of cantos from Ariosto's Orlando furioso.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

24
Specified Learning Activities

76
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Total

200
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and seminars in which students will demonstrate their reading and understanding of the chosen cantos. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

Students should have a strong command of Italian, equivalent to B.A. standard. As "Orlando Furioso" is a very long poem, a prior reading of the text is recommended.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Essay: An essay on a chosen aspect of the poem (canto, character, episode) Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

70
Presentation: Presentations on different aspect of the poem and the research work. Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive individual feedback after preentations and discussions in class, which will be useful to complete the final assessment.

• Ludovico Ariosto, Orlando furioso: a good paperback edition is the one edited by C. Segre for Mondadori. For reference, consult the edition by L. Caretti (Ricciardi). Eng.trans. by B. Reynolds, 2 vols (Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1977)

Compulsory secondary sources:
• Brand, C. P., Ludovico Ariosto: A Preface to the ‘Orlando furioso’ (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1974)
• Ferroni, G., Ariosto (Rome: Salerno, 2008)
• Javitch, Daniel, Proclaiming a Classic: The Canonization of Orlando Furioso (Princeton: N.J., Princeton University Press, 1991)