Philology and Dante Criticism
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Philology is essential to read and understand Dante. In the absence of his autographs, scholars have had to reconstruct his works trying with different methods to prepare scientifically reliable texts. The problems are not all solved as the continuous studies and the current debate show. The course aims to provide students with the fundamental notions of Dante's Philology: history, methods, solutions, problems.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student must acquire:
- Knowledge of the tradition of Dante's works (in particular of the Vita nuova) and of the various attempts to reach a solution of the numerous ecdotic problem.
- Ability to read ancient manuscripts and the first printed editions of Dante's works
- Ability to evaluate textual solutions proposed by modern publishers.
- Ability to read and evaluate editions and to interpret variants.
- Knowledge of the tradition of Dante's works (in particular of the Vita nuova) and of the various attempts to reach a solution of the numerous ecdotic problem.
- Ability to read ancient manuscripts and the first printed editions of Dante's works
- Ability to evaluate textual solutions proposed by modern publishers.
- Ability to read and evaluate editions and to interpret variants.
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
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
From the project to the writing of the Commedia
The open ending of the Vita nuova and the genesis of the Commedia
Chronology and initial diffusion
The first manuscript tradition of the text
Analysis of manuscripts of the Commedia: codicological and palaeographical aspects
Analysis of illustrated manuscripts of the poem
Incunabula and cinquecentine
Modern editions: from the Witte edition to the Petrocchi edition
Within and beyond the ancient Vulgate
New perspectives on the tradition of the Commedia: Enrico Malato, Paolo Trovato - Elisabetta Tonello, Giorgio Inglese, Federico Sanguineti - Eloisia Mandola
Philological reading of passages from the poem.
The open ending of the Vita nuova and the genesis of the Commedia
Chronology and initial diffusion
The first manuscript tradition of the text
Analysis of manuscripts of the Commedia: codicological and palaeographical aspects
Analysis of illustrated manuscripts of the poem
Incunabula and cinquecentine
Modern editions: from the Witte edition to the Petrocchi edition
Within and beyond the ancient Vulgate
New perspectives on the tradition of the Commedia: Enrico Malato, Paolo Trovato - Elisabetta Tonello, Giorgio Inglese, Federico Sanguineti - Eloisia Mandola
Philological reading of passages from the poem.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites are requested. The class is conducted entirely in Italian.
Teaching methods
Lectures and classroom exercises.
During the course, an educational visit to the Trivulziana Library is planned to see live manuscripts and ancient prints of the Commedia and other works by Dante.
During the course, an educational visit to the Trivulziana Library is planned to see live manuscripts and ancient prints of the Commedia and other works by Dante.
Teaching Resources
Notes of the lessons
Material uploaded by the teacher on the Ariel platform.
An edition of the Divine Comedy of your choice.
Dante, a cura di R. REA e J. STEINBERG, Roma, Carocci, 2020 (reference manual for the general part on Dante's works).
M. GRIMALDI, Filologia dantesca. Un'introduzione, Roma, Carocci, 2021 (Dante Philology reference manual).
Material uploaded by the teacher on the Ariel platform.
An edition of the Divine Comedy of your choice.
Dante, a cura di R. REA e J. STEINBERG, Roma, Carocci, 2020 (reference manual for the general part on Dante's works).
M. GRIMALDI, Filologia dantesca. Un'introduzione, Roma, Carocci, 2021 (Dante Philology reference manual).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam (entirely in Italian) consists of an interview aimed at ascertaining the preparation of the students, the ability to exploit specific knowledge, the properties of exposure, the specialized language.
The oral interview will be divided into three parts which aim to ascertain the student's preparation on the topics covered in class or studied in the books in the bibliography:
1. knowledge of Dante's works (see manual by Steinberg and Rea)
1) knowledge of philological aspects and problems concerning the Commedia.
2) ability to read, explain and comment a passage from the Commedia with particular attention to the ecdotic aspects.
The final evaluation of the exam is expressed out of thirty.
Attendance at lessons is strongly recommended.
Students unable to attend lessons are invited to go to the reception desk by the teacher, who will provide precise indications on the supplementary bibliography with which to replace attendance. The course program is valid until February 2027.
Students with any disabilities are kindly asked to contact the teacher in order to agree on alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent office.
The oral interview will be divided into three parts which aim to ascertain the student's preparation on the topics covered in class or studied in the books in the bibliography:
1. knowledge of Dante's works (see manual by Steinberg and Rea)
1) knowledge of philological aspects and problems concerning the Commedia.
2) ability to read, explain and comment a passage from the Commedia with particular attention to the ecdotic aspects.
The final evaluation of the exam is expressed out of thirty.
Attendance at lessons is strongly recommended.
Students unable to attend lessons are invited to go to the reception desk by the teacher, who will provide precise indications on the supplementary bibliography with which to replace attendance. The course program is valid until February 2027.
Students with any disabilities are kindly asked to contact the teacher in order to agree on alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent office.
L-FIL-LET/13 - PHILOLOGY OF ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Pirovano Donato
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 11.00 A.M
Piazza sant'Alessandro, first floor, near Spanish studies