Italian Literature
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a critical knowledge of the main elements of the Italian literary system, from the Origins to the Seventeenth century, following the tradition and development of models, themes, forms.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student must know the fundamental aspects and issues of Italian literature from the Origins to the Seventeenth century, with a proper historic contextualization and specific reference to genres, themes and poetics, authors and works, methods of transmission of texts and their philological problems. Furthermore, the student will have to know the tools (metric elements, rhetoric, style theory and narratology) and the critical methodologies necessary to analyse and interpret the texts.
The student will then have to demonstrate the ability to understand and analyse literary texts (in their thematic and formal aspects), framing them in their respective contexts. Likewise, the student must demonstrate competence in the comprehension and use of literary essays, ability to identify the bibliography and to make use of the main tools of bibliographic resources, as well as the ability to communicate clearly and correctly, both in oral and written presentation, with appropriate use of scientific terminology.
The student will then have to demonstrate the ability to understand and analyse literary texts (in their thematic and formal aspects), framing them in their respective contexts. Likewise, the student must demonstrate competence in the comprehension and use of literary essays, ability to identify the bibliography and to make use of the main tools of bibliographic resources, as well as the ability to communicate clearly and correctly, both in oral and written presentation, with appropriate use of scientific terminology.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
(A D)
Lesson period
Second semester
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
(E N)
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: Tools and texts of Italian literature (60 hours, 9 cfu)
Teaching unit A (20 hours, 3 cfu): Italian literature from XIII to early XVI century
Teaching unit B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Italian literature from late XVI century XIX century
Teaching unit C (20 hours, 3 cfu): «Lo scendere e 'l girar per li gran mali»: Dante in the deeper circles of Hell
The course is aimed at undergraduate Science of Cultural Property students whose surname begins with E-N.
The teaching program of units A and B focuses on the history of Italian literature from Origins to Leopardi and Manzoni. Unit C is dedicated to Dante Alighieri's Commedia, and more specifically to the second half of the Inferno (cantos XVII-XXXIV): after a general overview of the Dantean poem (chronology, structure, themes, and style), the focus will be on the lower Inferno, with some attention also given to the tradition and iconographic legacy.
Teaching unit A (20 hours, 3 cfu): Italian literature from XIII to early XVI century
Teaching unit B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Italian literature from late XVI century XIX century
Teaching unit C (20 hours, 3 cfu): «Lo scendere e 'l girar per li gran mali»: Dante in the deeper circles of Hell
The course is aimed at undergraduate Science of Cultural Property students whose surname begins with E-N.
The teaching program of units A and B focuses on the history of Italian literature from Origins to Leopardi and Manzoni. Unit C is dedicated to Dante Alighieri's Commedia, and more specifically to the second half of the Inferno (cantos XVII-XXXIV): after a general overview of the Dantean poem (chronology, structure, themes, and style), the focus will be on the lower Inferno, with some attention also given to the tradition and iconographic legacy.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission. Nevertheless, a good high-school background is the ideal prerequisite for the course, which, however, is also thought to amend shortcomings.
Teaching methods
The course will be in Italian, through frontal lessons; attendance is not mandatory, though strongly recommended.
Units A and B will be taught on texts included in the lecture notes. During the lessons, thanks to slide projection, the focus will be on movements, authors and works and their cultural context; on the main critical problems of every topic, through quotations from critical essays and comparisons between different positions; on tradition and reception of works and texts; on their most interesting formal aspects. All the materials will be available on Ariel (http://ariel.unimi.it).
Non-attending students must use the materials expressly indicated in this program.
Units A and B will be taught on texts included in the lecture notes. During the lessons, thanks to slide projection, the focus will be on movements, authors and works and their cultural context; on the main critical problems of every topic, through quotations from critical essays and comparisons between different positions; on tradition and reception of works and texts; on their most interesting formal aspects. All the materials will be available on Ariel (http://ariel.unimi.it).
Non-attending students must use the materials expressly indicated in this program.
Teaching Resources
Teaching units A and B
Reference text:
- Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni, a cura di Gabriele Baldassari e Guglielmo Barucci, Milano, Cortina, 2021.
The volume consists of a part of history of Italian literature and of a section of texts; both of them are to be prepared for the exam, along with notes of the lessons and further material uploaded on Ariel.
Students interested in a deeper knowledge of Italian literature should look at
- Gianfranco Alfano, Paola Italia, Emilio Russo, Franco Tomasi, Letteratura italiana. Manuale per studi universitari, 2 vols., Milano, Mondadori Università, 2018 (I. Dalle origini a metà Cinquecento; II. Da Tasso a fine Ottocento).
Useful reference tools for metre and poetic forms could be:
- Pietro G. Beltrami, Gli strumenti della poesia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2012 [I ed. 1996]
or:
- Giuseppe Sangirardi, Francesco De Rosa, Breve guida alla metrica italiana, Milano, Sansoni, 2002
Useful reference for rethoric could be:
- Bice Mortara Garavelli, Prima lezione di retorica, Roma - Bari, Laterza, 2011
Attending Students
The students will be asked to prepare the whole Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni, in addition to the materials uploaded on Ariel site.
Not Attending Students
The students will be asked to prepare the whole Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni, in addition to the materials uploaded on Ariel site.
Teaching unit C
Attending Students
Reference text: For the Inferno, is raccomanded one of the following annotated editions:
- Dante Alighieri, Divina commedia, Inferno, a cura di Umberto Bosco e Giovanni Reggio, Mondadori
- Dante Alighieri, Divina commedia, Inferno, commento a cura di Anna Maria Chiavacci Leonardi, Mondadori
A general knowledge of the entire poem (composition, structure, themes, style) is required, for which reference should be made to the lectures and materials provided by the teacher on MyAriel, to the introductions and commentaries on the cantos in the recommended editions, and to the critical bibliography listed below.
Poem's cantos and parts required for the examination will be indicated on MyAriel site before the end of the course.
More texts to be discussed in the class will be available on MyAriel.
Furthermore, students are required to study:
- Giorgio Inglese, Dante: guida alla Divina Commedia, Nuova edizione, Roma, Carocci, 2012
- Lucia Battaglia Ricci, Immaginare e rappresentare l'aldilà e i suoi abitanti: il caso Gerione, in La vita delle cose, a cura di Stefano Prandi, Ravenna, Longo, 2024, pp. 153-168 [online all'indirizzo ‹https://www.torrossa.com/it/resources/an/5867041›]
Not Attending Students
Not attending students, in addition to the references above for attending students, will also study:
- Alberto Casadei, Dante. Storia avventurosa della Divina commedia, Milano, il Saggiatore, 2020.
Reference text:
- Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni, a cura di Gabriele Baldassari e Guglielmo Barucci, Milano, Cortina, 2021.
The volume consists of a part of history of Italian literature and of a section of texts; both of them are to be prepared for the exam, along with notes of the lessons and further material uploaded on Ariel.
Students interested in a deeper knowledge of Italian literature should look at
- Gianfranco Alfano, Paola Italia, Emilio Russo, Franco Tomasi, Letteratura italiana. Manuale per studi universitari, 2 vols., Milano, Mondadori Università, 2018 (I. Dalle origini a metà Cinquecento; II. Da Tasso a fine Ottocento).
Useful reference tools for metre and poetic forms could be:
- Pietro G. Beltrami, Gli strumenti della poesia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2012 [I ed. 1996]
or:
- Giuseppe Sangirardi, Francesco De Rosa, Breve guida alla metrica italiana, Milano, Sansoni, 2002
Useful reference for rethoric could be:
- Bice Mortara Garavelli, Prima lezione di retorica, Roma - Bari, Laterza, 2011
Attending Students
The students will be asked to prepare the whole Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni, in addition to the materials uploaded on Ariel site.
Not Attending Students
The students will be asked to prepare the whole Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni, in addition to the materials uploaded on Ariel site.
Teaching unit C
Attending Students
Reference text: For the Inferno, is raccomanded one of the following annotated editions:
- Dante Alighieri, Divina commedia, Inferno, a cura di Umberto Bosco e Giovanni Reggio, Mondadori
- Dante Alighieri, Divina commedia, Inferno, commento a cura di Anna Maria Chiavacci Leonardi, Mondadori
A general knowledge of the entire poem (composition, structure, themes, style) is required, for which reference should be made to the lectures and materials provided by the teacher on MyAriel, to the introductions and commentaries on the cantos in the recommended editions, and to the critical bibliography listed below.
Poem's cantos and parts required for the examination will be indicated on MyAriel site before the end of the course.
More texts to be discussed in the class will be available on MyAriel.
Furthermore, students are required to study:
- Giorgio Inglese, Dante: guida alla Divina Commedia, Nuova edizione, Roma, Carocci, 2012
- Lucia Battaglia Ricci, Immaginare e rappresentare l'aldilà e i suoi abitanti: il caso Gerione, in La vita delle cose, a cura di Stefano Prandi, Ravenna, Longo, 2024, pp. 153-168 [online all'indirizzo ‹https://www.torrossa.com/it/resources/an/5867041›]
Not Attending Students
Not attending students, in addition to the references above for attending students, will also study:
- Alberto Casadei, Dante. Storia avventurosa della Divina commedia, Milano, il Saggiatore, 2020.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a preliminary written test on the teaching units A and B and an oral test on the teaching unit C; both are aimed at ascertaining students' knowledge of the bibliography.
The written test will be held three times a year (on May, on September, on November/December 2023); passing the written test is prerequisite for the oral examination. Written tests will be graded sufficient, discreet, good, excellent and will be considered in the final overall grade. Grades of the written test will be published in Ariel in the dedicated section.
The written test (90 minutes) counts of two sections: 6 closed-ended questions on technical aspects (chronology, works, metre, rhetoric) and 4 short open questions (max 10 lines) on authors, themes, and works. A fifth question is the analysis of a text: the student will be required to define author, work, genre, metrics, rhyme scheme, and to provide a paraphrasis and a short cultural and stylistical framework.
The analysis will concerne one of the following texts (or part of texts), provided in the Anthology:
- Jacopo da Lentini, Amor è uno desio che ven da core
- Guido Guinizelli, Al cor gentil rempaira sempre amore (stanzas I e IV)
- Guido Cavalcanti, Chi è questa che vèn, ch'ogn'om la mira
- Cino da Pistoia, Poscia che saziar non posso li occhi miei
- Dante Alighieri, Guido, i' vorrei che tu e Lapo ed io
- Dante Alighieri, Così nel mio parlar voglio esser aspro (stanzas I e V)
- Dante Alighieri, Vita nova, XIX Donne ch'avete intelletto d'amore (stanzas I e II)
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 1, Voi ch'ascoltate in rime sparse il suono
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 90, Erano i capei d'oro a l'aura sparsi
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 272, La vita fugge e non s'arresta una hora
- Luigi Pulci, Morgante, XVIII 115-120
- Pietro Bembo, Crin d'oro crespo
- Giovanni della Casa, Questa vita mortal
- Ludovico Ariosto, Orlando furioso, I 1-3 and XXIV 1-3
- Torquato Tasso, Gerusalemme liberata, I 1-5
- Giambattista Marino, Adone, III 156-158
- Ugo Foscolo, Né più mai toccherò le sacre sponde
- Ugo Foscolo, Dei sepolcri, vv. 137-150
- Giacomo Leopardi, A se stesso
- Giacomo Leopardi, Canto notturno di un pastore errante dell'Asia, vv. 133-143
Passing the written test on teaching units A and B is a necessary condition for completing the examination.
The oral test consists of a critical discussion on the main issues studied in Unit C. The student will have, at request, to prove his ability to paraphrase the text. The student will be required to prove his ability to develop a critical and organized exposition of the informations and competences acquired through the classes and the bibliography, using proper terminology
The final grade will be expressed on a 30-point scale and will take into consideration the grade of the written test.
Erasmus students are invited to contact the professor via email during office hours for further information about the exam.
Examination methods for students with disabilities or SLD must be defined with the teacher in agreement with the University Disability and SLD Services. It is recommended to follow the guidelines of the "Documento personalizzato".
Master's degree students wishing to take the exam must contact the teacher to agree on a specific program.
The written test will be held three times a year (on May, on September, on November/December 2023); passing the written test is prerequisite for the oral examination. Written tests will be graded sufficient, discreet, good, excellent and will be considered in the final overall grade. Grades of the written test will be published in Ariel in the dedicated section.
The written test (90 minutes) counts of two sections: 6 closed-ended questions on technical aspects (chronology, works, metre, rhetoric) and 4 short open questions (max 10 lines) on authors, themes, and works. A fifth question is the analysis of a text: the student will be required to define author, work, genre, metrics, rhyme scheme, and to provide a paraphrasis and a short cultural and stylistical framework.
The analysis will concerne one of the following texts (or part of texts), provided in the Anthology:
- Jacopo da Lentini, Amor è uno desio che ven da core
- Guido Guinizelli, Al cor gentil rempaira sempre amore (stanzas I e IV)
- Guido Cavalcanti, Chi è questa che vèn, ch'ogn'om la mira
- Cino da Pistoia, Poscia che saziar non posso li occhi miei
- Dante Alighieri, Guido, i' vorrei che tu e Lapo ed io
- Dante Alighieri, Così nel mio parlar voglio esser aspro (stanzas I e V)
- Dante Alighieri, Vita nova, XIX Donne ch'avete intelletto d'amore (stanzas I e II)
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 1, Voi ch'ascoltate in rime sparse il suono
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 90, Erano i capei d'oro a l'aura sparsi
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 272, La vita fugge e non s'arresta una hora
- Luigi Pulci, Morgante, XVIII 115-120
- Pietro Bembo, Crin d'oro crespo
- Giovanni della Casa, Questa vita mortal
- Ludovico Ariosto, Orlando furioso, I 1-3 and XXIV 1-3
- Torquato Tasso, Gerusalemme liberata, I 1-5
- Giambattista Marino, Adone, III 156-158
- Ugo Foscolo, Né più mai toccherò le sacre sponde
- Ugo Foscolo, Dei sepolcri, vv. 137-150
- Giacomo Leopardi, A se stesso
- Giacomo Leopardi, Canto notturno di un pastore errante dell'Asia, vv. 133-143
Passing the written test on teaching units A and B is a necessary condition for completing the examination.
The oral test consists of a critical discussion on the main issues studied in Unit C. The student will have, at request, to prove his ability to paraphrase the text. The student will be required to prove his ability to develop a critical and organized exposition of the informations and competences acquired through the classes and the bibliography, using proper terminology
The final grade will be expressed on a 30-point scale and will take into consideration the grade of the written test.
Erasmus students are invited to contact the professor via email during office hours for further information about the exam.
Examination methods for students with disabilities or SLD must be defined with the teacher in agreement with the University Disability and SLD Services. It is recommended to follow the guidelines of the "Documento personalizzato".
Master's degree students wishing to take the exam must contact the teacher to agree on a specific program.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
(O Z)
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: Tools and texts of Italian literature (60 hours, 9 cfu)
Teaching unit A (20 hours, 3 cfu): Italian literature from XIII to early XVI century
Teaching unit B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Italian literature from late XVI century XIX century
Teaching unit C (20 hours, 3 cfu): Ariosto's Orlando furioso
The course is aimed at undergraduate Science of Cultural Property students whose surname begins with O-Z-
The teaching program of units A and B focuses on the history of Italian literature from Origins to Leopardi and Manzoni; teaching unit C is dedicated to the analysis of Ariosto's Orlando furioso.
Teaching unit A (20 hours, 3 cfu): Italian literature from XIII to early XVI century
Teaching unit B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Italian literature from late XVI century XIX century
Teaching unit C (20 hours, 3 cfu): Ariosto's Orlando furioso
The course is aimed at undergraduate Science of Cultural Property students whose surname begins with O-Z-
The teaching program of units A and B focuses on the history of Italian literature from Origins to Leopardi and Manzoni; teaching unit C is dedicated to the analysis of Ariosto's Orlando furioso.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission. Nevertheless, a good high-school background is the ideal prerequisite for the course, which, however, is also thought to amend shortcomings.
Teaching methods
The course will be taught, in Italian, through frontal lessons; attendance is not mandatory, though strongly recommended.
Teaching units A and B will be taught on texts included in the lecture notes. During the lessons, thanks to slide projection, the focus will be on movements, authors and works and their cultural context; on the main critical problems of every topic, through quotations from critical essays and comparisons between different positions; on tradition and reception of works and texts; on their most interesting formal aspects. All the materials will be available on myAriel.
Non-attending students must use the materials expressly indicated in this program.
Teaching units A and B will be taught on texts included in the lecture notes. During the lessons, thanks to slide projection, the focus will be on movements, authors and works and their cultural context; on the main critical problems of every topic, through quotations from critical essays and comparisons between different positions; on tradition and reception of works and texts; on their most interesting formal aspects. All the materials will be available on myAriel.
Non-attending students must use the materials expressly indicated in this program.
Teaching Resources
Teaching units A and B
*Attending Students*
"Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni", a cura di Gabriele Baldassari e Guglielmo Barucci, Milano, Cortina, 2021. The volume consists of a part of history of Italian literature and of a section of texts; both of them are to be prepared for the exam, along with notes of the lessons and further material uploaded on Ariel.
Students interested in a deeper knowledge of Italian literature should look at Letteratura italiana. Manuale per studi universitari, 2 volumi, Milano, Mondadori Università, 2018 (I: Dalle origini a metà Cinquecento e II: Da Tasso a fine Ottocento).
Useful reference tools could be:
a) for metre and poetic forms:
- P. Beltrami, Gli strumenti della poesia, Bologna, il Mulino;
- G. Lavezzi, I numeri della poesia, Roma, Carocci;
- G. Sangirardi-F. De Rosa, Breve guida alla metrica italiana, Milano, Sansoni.
b) for rethoric:
- B. Mortara Garavelli, Prima lezione di retorica, Roma-Bari, Laterza.
The students will be asked to prepare the whole Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni, in addition to the materials uploaded on myAriel site
*Not Attending Students*
The students will be asked to prepare the whole Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni, in addition to the materials uploaded on Ariel site
Teaching unit C
Orlando Furioso by Ariosto
Editions suggested:
Orlando furioso, a cura di S. Zatti e R. Ceserani, UTET.
or
Orlando furioso, commento di E. Bigi, a cura di C. Zampese, Rizzoli BUR.
Students are asked to prove an overall knowledge of the work (writing, structure, models, themes, style).
Cantos and parts of cantos to be studied will be specified on the Course's Site at the end of the lessons.
More texts to be discussed in the class will be available on Ariel.
Students are required to study:
S. Zatti, Il Furioso tra epos e romanzo [1990], premessa di Michele Comelli, Milano, Ledizioni, 2018, in particolare per le pagine 9-90
M. Santoro, Nell'officina del narrante: gli esordi, in Ariosto e il Rinascimento, Napoli, Liguori, 1989, 51-81
Not attending students will study, in addition to cantos and parts of cantos as above:
S. Zatti, Il Furioso tra epos e romanzo [1990], premessa di Michele Comelli, Milano, Ledizioni, 2018, in particolare per le pagine 9-90, , 127-172
M. Santoro, Nell'officina del narrante: gli esordi, in Ariosto e il Rinascimento, Napoli, Liguori, 1989, 51-81
One beetween:
a) S. Jossa, Ariosto, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009 (chapters on Furioso); easier
or
b) G. Ferroni, Ariosto, Roma, Salerno, 2008 (chapters on Furioso); more in depth
3. M. Santoro, Nell'officina del narrante: gli esordi, in Ariosto e il Rinascimento, Napoli, Liguori, 1989, 51-81
*Attending Students*
"Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni", a cura di Gabriele Baldassari e Guglielmo Barucci, Milano, Cortina, 2021. The volume consists of a part of history of Italian literature and of a section of texts; both of them are to be prepared for the exam, along with notes of the lessons and further material uploaded on Ariel.
Students interested in a deeper knowledge of Italian literature should look at Letteratura italiana. Manuale per studi universitari, 2 volumi, Milano, Mondadori Università, 2018 (I: Dalle origini a metà Cinquecento e II: Da Tasso a fine Ottocento).
Useful reference tools could be:
a) for metre and poetic forms:
- P. Beltrami, Gli strumenti della poesia, Bologna, il Mulino;
- G. Lavezzi, I numeri della poesia, Roma, Carocci;
- G. Sangirardi-F. De Rosa, Breve guida alla metrica italiana, Milano, Sansoni.
b) for rethoric:
- B. Mortara Garavelli, Prima lezione di retorica, Roma-Bari, Laterza.
The students will be asked to prepare the whole Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni, in addition to the materials uploaded on myAriel site
*Not Attending Students*
The students will be asked to prepare the whole Antologia della letteratura italiana. Dalla Scuola poetica siciliana a Alessandro Manzoni, in addition to the materials uploaded on Ariel site
Teaching unit C
Orlando Furioso by Ariosto
Editions suggested:
Orlando furioso, a cura di S. Zatti e R. Ceserani, UTET.
or
Orlando furioso, commento di E. Bigi, a cura di C. Zampese, Rizzoli BUR.
Students are asked to prove an overall knowledge of the work (writing, structure, models, themes, style).
Cantos and parts of cantos to be studied will be specified on the Course's Site at the end of the lessons.
More texts to be discussed in the class will be available on Ariel.
Students are required to study:
S. Zatti, Il Furioso tra epos e romanzo [1990], premessa di Michele Comelli, Milano, Ledizioni, 2018, in particolare per le pagine 9-90
M. Santoro, Nell'officina del narrante: gli esordi, in Ariosto e il Rinascimento, Napoli, Liguori, 1989, 51-81
Not attending students will study, in addition to cantos and parts of cantos as above:
S. Zatti, Il Furioso tra epos e romanzo [1990], premessa di Michele Comelli, Milano, Ledizioni, 2018, in particolare per le pagine 9-90, , 127-172
M. Santoro, Nell'officina del narrante: gli esordi, in Ariosto e il Rinascimento, Napoli, Liguori, 1989, 51-81
One beetween:
a) S. Jossa, Ariosto, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009 (chapters on Furioso); easier
or
b) G. Ferroni, Ariosto, Roma, Salerno, 2008 (chapters on Furioso); more in depth
3. M. Santoro, Nell'officina del narrante: gli esordi, in Ariosto e il Rinascimento, Napoli, Liguori, 1989, 51-81
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a preliminary written test on the teaching units A and B and an oral test on the teaching unit C; both are aimed at ascertaining students' knowledge of the bibliography.
The written test will be held three times a year (on May 2026, September 2026, on November/December 2026); passing the written test is prerequisite for the oral examination. Written tests will be graded sufficient, discreet, good, excellent and will be considered in the final overall grade. Grades of the written test will be published in Ariel in the dedicated section.
The written test (90 minutes) counts of two sections: 6 closed-ended questions on technical aspects (chronology, works, metre, rhetoric) and 4 short open questions (max 10 lines) on authors, themes, and works. A fifth question is the analysis of a text: the student will be required to define author, work, genre, metrics, rhyme scheme, and to provide a paraphrasis and a short cultural and stylistical framework.
The analysis will concerne one of the following texts (or part of texts), provided in the Anthology:
- Jacopo da Lentini, Amor è uno desio che ven da core
- Guido Guinizelli, Al cor gentil rempaira sempre amore (stanze I e IV)
- Guido Cavalcanti, Chi è questa che vèn, ch'ogn'om la mira
- Cino da Pistoia, Poscia che saziar non posso li occhi miei
- Dante, Guido, i' vorrei che tu e Lapo ed io
- Dante, Così nel mio parlar voglio esser aspro (stanze I e V)
- Dante, Vita nova: XIX Donne ch'avete intelletto d'amore (stanze I e II)
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 1, Voi ch'ascoltate in rime sparse il suono
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 90, Erano i capei d'oro a l'aura sparsi
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 272, La vita fugge e non s'arresta una hora
- Luigi Pulci, Morgante, XVIII 115-120
- Pietro Bembo, Crin d'oro crespo
- Giovanni della Casa, Questa vita mortal
- Ludovico Ariosto, Orlando furioso, XXIV 1-3
- Torquato Tasso, Gerusalemme liberata, I 1-5
- Giambattista Marino, Adone, III 156-158
- U. Foscolo, Né più mai toccherò le sacre sponde
- U. Foscolo, Dei sepolcri, vv. 137-150
- Giacomo Leopardi, A se stesso
- Giacomo Leopardi, Canto notturno di un pastore errante dell'Asia, vv. 133-143
Passing the written test on teaching units A and B is a necessary condition for completing the examination.
The oral test consists of a critical discussion on the main issues of the work studied in teaching unit C. The student will have, at request, to prove his ability to paraphrase the text. The student will be required to prove his ability to develop a critical and organized exposition of the informations and compétences acquired through the classes and the bibliography, with a proper terminology.
The final grade will be expressed in the 30 grade point system, and it will take into consideration the grade of the written test.
Erasmus students are invited to contact the professor via email in office hours for further information on the exam.
Examination methods for students with disabilities or SLD must be defined with the teacher in agreement with the University Disability and SLD Services. It is recommended to respect the indications of the "Documento personalizzato".
The written test will be held three times a year (on May 2026, September 2026, on November/December 2026); passing the written test is prerequisite for the oral examination. Written tests will be graded sufficient, discreet, good, excellent and will be considered in the final overall grade. Grades of the written test will be published in Ariel in the dedicated section.
The written test (90 minutes) counts of two sections: 6 closed-ended questions on technical aspects (chronology, works, metre, rhetoric) and 4 short open questions (max 10 lines) on authors, themes, and works. A fifth question is the analysis of a text: the student will be required to define author, work, genre, metrics, rhyme scheme, and to provide a paraphrasis and a short cultural and stylistical framework.
The analysis will concerne one of the following texts (or part of texts), provided in the Anthology:
- Jacopo da Lentini, Amor è uno desio che ven da core
- Guido Guinizelli, Al cor gentil rempaira sempre amore (stanze I e IV)
- Guido Cavalcanti, Chi è questa che vèn, ch'ogn'om la mira
- Cino da Pistoia, Poscia che saziar non posso li occhi miei
- Dante, Guido, i' vorrei che tu e Lapo ed io
- Dante, Così nel mio parlar voglio esser aspro (stanze I e V)
- Dante, Vita nova: XIX Donne ch'avete intelletto d'amore (stanze I e II)
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 1, Voi ch'ascoltate in rime sparse il suono
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 90, Erano i capei d'oro a l'aura sparsi
- Francesco Petrarca, Rvf 272, La vita fugge e non s'arresta una hora
- Luigi Pulci, Morgante, XVIII 115-120
- Pietro Bembo, Crin d'oro crespo
- Giovanni della Casa, Questa vita mortal
- Ludovico Ariosto, Orlando furioso, XXIV 1-3
- Torquato Tasso, Gerusalemme liberata, I 1-5
- Giambattista Marino, Adone, III 156-158
- U. Foscolo, Né più mai toccherò le sacre sponde
- U. Foscolo, Dei sepolcri, vv. 137-150
- Giacomo Leopardi, A se stesso
- Giacomo Leopardi, Canto notturno di un pastore errante dell'Asia, vv. 133-143
Passing the written test on teaching units A and B is a necessary condition for completing the examination.
The oral test consists of a critical discussion on the main issues of the work studied in teaching unit C. The student will have, at request, to prove his ability to paraphrase the text. The student will be required to prove his ability to develop a critical and organized exposition of the informations and compétences acquired through the classes and the bibliography, with a proper terminology.
The final grade will be expressed in the 30 grade point system, and it will take into consideration the grade of the written test.
Erasmus students are invited to contact the professor via email in office hours for further information on the exam.
Examination methods for students with disabilities or SLD must be defined with the teacher in agreement with the University Disability and SLD Services. It is recommended to respect the indications of the "Documento personalizzato".
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Office hours: wednesday 15.00-18.00, by appointment only. Nevertheless, due to multiple administrative tasks, appointments could be given in other days.
Department of Literary Studies, Philology and Linguistics; sector Modern Philology, 1st floor, via Francesco Sforza
Reception:
wednesady 15:00-18:00, by appointment by e-mail
First floor of Dipartimento di Studi letterari, filologici e linguistici (via Festa del Perdono, 7)
Reception:
Wednesday 16.15-18:15
Ufficio Professori esterni, Via Noto 8 (4 piano)