GEC 14 – WORLD LITERATURE

MODULE 4
ITALIAN LITERATURE

Italian literature is written in the Italian language particularly within Italy. It may
also refer to literature written by Italian authors in other languages. One great Italian
poet is Dante Alighieri. His work is “Divine Comedy.” Francesco Petrarcha is an Italian
poet who wrote classical research and lyric poetry. Pietro Bembo was an influential
figure in the development of the Italian language.

The Influence of France in Italian Literature. French prose and verse

romances were popular in Italy from the 12th century to the 14th century. Stories were
read by the literate while French minstrels recited verses in public places throughout
northern Italy. In the 13th century, Franco-Venetian literature had developed. Italians
copied French stories creating new romances featuring characters from the French
works. Though the language used was French, the writers often introduced elements
from their own northern Italian dialects.

The 14th Century. The two great writers of the 14 th century were Petrarcha and
Boccaccio. They sought out the works of antiquity and cultivated their own artistic
personalities. Petrarcha achieved fame through his collection of poems called
“Canzoniere.” His poetry served as the model for European lyricism. Boccaccio was
equally influential through his collection of 100 novellas which started the short story
genre. The other writers were: (1) Giovanni Sercambi; (2) Franco Sacchetti; (3) Matteo
Bandello; and (4) Agnolo Firenzuola. They continued the tradition of vivid, realistic and
licentious storytelling in prose.

The Rennaisance. The Tuscan dialect that had been established by Petrarcha
and Boccaccio was inhibited by a strong return to Latin among humanist writers and
philosophers. The writers during this period were: (1) Coluccio Salutati; (2) Lorenzo
Valla; (3) Marsilio Ficino; (4) Giovanni Pico della Mirandola. They sought to return to the
fonts of classical antiquity for inspiration and guidance in matters of: (1) language; (2)
literary style; (3) moral instruction; and (4) relationship to God. When the Tuscan
dialect was used again, the poetic language had been refined by the values of humanist
learning. The great masterpiece of Italian Rennaisance poetry was entitled “Orlando
Furioso” written by Ludovico Ariosto. The great Italian lyric poet named Torquato Tasso
wrote the Christian epic “Gerusalemme Liberata.” The Rennaisance genre that have
been brought to a high level of perfection were: (1) pastoral poems; (2) pastoral
romance; (3) Petrarchan lyric; (4) classical tragedy; (5) classical comedy; (6) dialogues
in the platonic manner; (7) treatises on a variety of topics; (8)
biographical/autobiographical writings; and (9) history.

The 17th and 18th Centuries. The philosophic and scientific prose continued.
The new literary style were secentismo and marinismo. They aimed at dazzling the
readers by the use of rhetorical devices. The Arcadians began a movement to restore
simplicity and classical restraint to poetry. The renewal of Italian culture produced: (1)
major works of journalism; (2) philosophical and historical erudition; (3) translations
from classical antiquity; and (4) translations from European writers. The outstanding
Italian representatives were: (1) Carlo Goldoni whose comedies of character drew upon
contemporary life; (2) Vittorio Alfieri whose classical tragedies exalted freedom; and (3)
Giuseppe Parini whose satirical poetry attacked the social abuses of the privileged.

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Questions:
1) What was the influence of France in Italian Literature?
2) What happened to Italian Literature during the Rennaisance Period?
3) What did the renewal of Italian culture produce?
4) Who is Francesco Petrarcha? What were his famous literary works?
5) Who is Dante Alighieri? What were his famous literary works?