Petrarch and Boccaccio

Catalog description

Focuses on the major works of Petrarch, considered one of the greatest love poets of all time, and Boccaccio, who is best known for his highly entertaining (and sometimes outrageous) short stories. We will focus on the authors’ most famous writings as well as on some of their more minor works. We will explore the relation of the two authors to one another, as well as their engagement of earlier writers such as Ovid, St. Augustine, and Dante. Themes covered will include the authors’ uses and portrayals of: language and desire, the pursuit of fame, story-telling and reality, sexual repression in medieval society, chaos and order, and the roles of women. Course taught in English, with additional work in Italian for Italian majors and minors.