OVERVIEW

Italian theater literature juxtaposes the study of theatrical texts with the broader study of the relationships between text and theater. The discipline uses a philological and literary-historical methodology together, applying it to the writings that prepare, preserve or replace the spectacular event. Its main object of study are therefore the literary texts that, in gradually different ways, have accompanied the history of Italian performance from the 15th century to the present.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The discipline's aim is to introduce students to the specificity of the dramatic text in the context of Italian literary and spectacular production; to introduce students to the history of the dramatic text in Italy from the 15th to the 20th century through examples and texts, including the theme of the theatrical book: being able to analyze a text and a theatrical book in all of its structural components and to recognize theatrical elements. It is thus a teaching that engages with Italian literature, theater history and dramaturgy, as well as the history of theater language, in order to highlight a specific tradition of poets, authors, and theatrical writing practices.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Participation in the activities and / or individual study will allow the student to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the forms of the theatrical text from the 15th century to the present day (in particular, authors and texts in the syllabus);
• employ basic elements of theatrical philology and drama vocabulary;
• understand the texts in the syllabus and recognise and place unfamiliar theatrical texts in historical context;
• analyse a theatrical text highlighting its main features (genre, structure, themes, setting, relationships between characters, etc.);
• describe and interpret texts according to their dramatic function.

PREREQUISITES

Good command of Italian literature and History of the performing arts.

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching will include lectures with the aid of multimedia tools and materials, as well as computer systems for innovative teaching. During the lectures, annotated readings of theatrical texts and cultural insights aimed at contextualizing the works examined will be offered. The lecturer also makes available to students, in a special section of the AulaWeb e-learning portal, the slides used in the classroom and other supplementary or study support materials.

Due to its nature of active and participatory confrontation with theatrical texts, attendance of the course is highly recommended. It is also advisable to attend the first lecture, during which the syllabus of the course and exam methods will be presented. Non-attending students should make contact with the lecturer (giordano.rodda@unige.it).

Lectures will be held in person unless otherwise specified by the University.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) The theatrical text: formal, linguistic and structural characteristics; analysis of the theatrical text.

2) Forms of comedy in the sixteenth century. Between a rethinking of classical models and innovation, including linguistic innovation, this course through five texts (Bernardo Dovizi da Bibbiena, La Calandria; Pietro Aretino, La cortigiana; Gl'ingannati; Ruzante, La Moscheta; Giordano Bruno, Il Candelaio) has the task of describing the vast and complex landscape of sixteenth-century comedy, from its beginnings to the contaminations of the end of the century.

For 9 cfu, in addition to 1) and 2):

3) 20th-century theatrical rewritings. This section of the course will study the ways in which two twentieth-century authors, Pier Paolo Pasolini (Pilade) and Edoardo Sanguineti (Faust), interact with the works of Aeschylus and Goethe, by means of work on the texts and their staging that is expressed through translation, sequel, reworking, and disguise.

For non-attending students:

The syllabus for non-attending students involves additional texts, so students are invited to contact the teacher at giordano.rodda@unige.it.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Points 1 and 2: Simona Morando, La letteratura teatrale italiana. Il testo drammatico e la sua storia dal Medioevo al Novecento​, Milan, Carocci, 2023;; handouts on the dramatic text and its history by the teacher on Aulaweb.

Pocket editions of the drama texts in the program. A file with detailed bibliographical directions will be available on Aulaweb and hard-to-find texts will be uploaded.

Format of the analysis sheet developed and shared in class.

Point 3:

Editions of the theatrical texts on the syllabus:

- Pier Paolo Pasolini, Il teatro. Calderón - Affabulazione - Pilade, Milan, Garzanti, 2016.

- Edoardo Sanguineti, Faust. Un travestimento, edited by Niva Lorenzini, Milan, Carocci, 2003.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIORDANO RODDA (President)

SIMONA MORANDO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Class schedule

ITALIAN THEATRICAL LITERATURE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral / written exam.

The analysis form should be submitted via email to the lecturer at least 10 days before the oral examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Oral exam on the texts in the syllabus and analysis form of a dramatic text to be handed in to the teacher according to the agreed terms; evaluation grid shared with the class.

The analysis form is to be developed on one of the texts in the syllabus and serves to verify the acquisition of the method of analysis of the dramatic text and the correct understanding of it.

The oral interview serves to test knowledge of the dramatic literature landscape and knowledge and understanding of the texts in the syllabus.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

All students, attending and non-attending, are asked to register for teaching on AulaWeb to receive communications and notices regarding the course.

Erasmus or non-native Italian-speaking students should contact the lecturer to arrange the exam schedule.

Students with certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination arrangements that, while respecting the objectives of the teaching, take into account individual learning patterns and provide suitable compensatory tools. The same students are also invited to take advantage of the various services provided to accompany them on their university journey (for more information see https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa).