Philological criticism and rhetorical-stylistic analysis of each Canto; study of its characterization and philosophical themes; comparison with other cantos and with its own sources; comparison of ancient and modern commentaries on Dante’s Divine Comedy.
Lessons and conferences
Sections of the Commedia considered with reference to a theme, an image or a metaphor.
English translations by H. Wadsworth Longfellow (The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri, Boston: J.R. Osgood & company, 1871). Or, alternatively, of A. Mandelbaum, New York: Bantam, 1982-1986.
English translations by H. Wadsworth Longfellow (The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri, Boston: J.R. Osgood & company, 1871). Or, alternatively, of A. Mandelbaum, New York: Bantam, 1982-1986.
The “folle volo” (“Mad Flight”), the “alto mare aperto” (“High Open Sea”) of Ulysses and the “gran mar de l’essere” (“Mighty Sea of Being”).
Charon’s Ship and the “vasello snelletto e leggiero” (“Small Vessel, very Swift and Light” )
Sea, ship and navigation in the three parts of the Commedia
From the “atroce pasto” (“Grim Repast”) to the “pan de li Angeli” (“Bread of Angels”)
Food and drink in the Commedia
The Boar in the Lord’s Vineyard
Garden and rural allegories in the Scriptures and in the Commedia
The “dolenti note” (“Notes of Desperation”), the Dance of the Stars and the “circulata melodia” (“Circulating Melody”)
Music, song and dance in the skies and earthly analogies
“Con li occhi li occhi mi percosse” (“Her Eyes Had Struck My Eyes”)
Body and senses from the Infernal Abyss to the Empyrean
“Quando fia ch’io ti riveggia?” (“How Long before I Shall See You Again?”)
Friendly affection in the Purgatorio
