LEARNING OUTCOMES

To analyse Italian literature themes and issues in its relations with theatre and performance in terms of both the production of dramaturgic texts as well as texts (news stories, autobiographical writings, letters etc) that can contribute to the knowledge of the history of performance.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to impart knowledge, competencies and skills vis-à-vis the study of Italian drama literature for both research development and training for school teaching. In particular, at the end of the course the student will be able to:

- demonstrate thorough knowledge of the historical development of Italian drama literature and show they have read and understood works and texts from major authors.

- strengthen their critical analysis skills as well as their ability to interpret and contextualise literary texts on the basis of what was learned during the course.

- know how to use tools of critical and discipline-specific language in written and oral form.

PREREQUISITES

Thorough knowledge (three-year arts degree level) of the history of Italian literature.

Critical analysis skills as well as the ability to interpret and contextualise literary texts; ability to present clearly and with the use of appropriate critical language.

TEACHING METHODS

The lessons will be held in person. Innovative theaching methods are developed, such as interactive texts  annotation on Perusall (Aulaweb skill). Assignements, glossary, students' research works.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

6 cfu syllabus:

1. Birth, development and probably death of drama characters.  

This is a path of study and research concerning texts analysis from Seicento to Novecento in which it is possible to see the construction of a character, according to theories and poetics. Summary of the course: 1. XVIIth century prodoms: birth of the individual and individualism in literature and in theatre: es. Dom Juan, Hamlet, Judit, Mary Stuart. Masks, authors and actors between France, Italy and Spain  2. Toward realism: Diderot, Goldoni and the development of male and female characters: the tragic character in Alfieri's works. 3. Manzoni and his character among history and tragedy (read by Gorthe and Foscolo); borgeois realism at the end of XIXth c. 4.Pirandello, d'Annunzio and the character theories. Eduardo De Filippo and the comsumption of the mask; 5. Is the character dead in the italian contemporary drama literature?

9 cfu Syllabus:

1. How to analyze a play? Theatre texts, theatre books, the structures of a text, the specific theatre language. (12 hours)

1. Birth, development and probably death of drama characters.  

This is a path of study and research concerning texts analysis from Seicento to Novecento in which it is possible to see the construction of a character, according to theories and poetics. Summary of the course: 1. XVIIth century prodoms: birth of the individual and individualism in literature and in theatre: es. Dom Juan, Hamlet, Judit, Mary Stuart. Masks, authors and actors between France, Italy and Spain  2. Toward realism: Diderot, Goldoni and the development of male and female characters: the tragic character in Alfieri's works. 3. Manzoni and his character among history and tragedy (read by Gorthe and Foscolo); borgeois realism at the end of XIXth c. 4.Pirandello, d'Annunzio and the character theories. Eduardo De Filippo and the comsumption of the mask; 5. Is the character dead in the italian contemporary drama literature?

Not attending students are expected to contact teacher during the course. They will study part 1 (Aulaweb) and selected essays from part 2.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Handouts, an analysis form, everything availables on Aulaweb. The elaboration of a analysis form is part of the examinations (not for 6 cfu syllabus)

2. As a research path, it's possible to quote only a basic bibliography: Ian Watt, Miti dell'individualismo moderno. Faust, don Chisciotte, don Giovanni, Robinson Crusoe, Roma, Donzelli, 2007 (capp. scelti); Konstantin S. Stanislavskij, Il lavoro dell'attore sul personaggio, Roma, Laterza, 2005; L. Allegri, La drammaturgia da Diderot a Beckett, Roma, Laterza, 1998; saggi scelti da Il personaggio. Figure della dissolvenza e della permanenza, a cura di C. Lombardi, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 2008. 

It is recommended (also for not attending students): Caterina Piccione, Più vivi. Drammi e domende dei personaggi pirandelliani, Bari, Edizioni pagina, 2022. 

Plays studied during the course: da F. Della Valle, G. A. Cicognini, Denis Diderot, Carlo Goldoni (L'uomo prudente), Vittorio Alfieri (Saul), Ugo Foscolo (La Nuova scuola drammatica è su www.bibliotecaitaliana.it), Alessandro Manzoni, Adelchi e Conte di Carmagnola, Lettre à M. Chauvet, S. Pellico, Francesca da Rimini, Marco Praga, la moglie ideale, Giuseppe Giacosa, Tristi amori, Luigi Pirandello, novelle Colloqui con i personaggi, Tragedia di un personaggio, testi teatrali Enrico IV, Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore, Gabriele d'Annunzio, Francesca da Rimini, Eduardo de Filippo, Filumena Marturano e Questi fantasmi.