The Impact of the Renaissance on Italian Literature
The Renaissance in Italy originated from the rise to power of the bourgeoisie, generating a change in mentality based on individualism and a new value of property in more established territories. In the 14th century, we see the emergence of key figures such as Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, who stand as the architects of this transition. The Dolce Stil Novo during the first half of the 13th century reflects two poetic streams: the tradition of the Provençal troubadours and the Sicilian school, creating formal innovations that characterize the European Renaissance. The hendecasyllable combines with seven syllables, and the sonnet is developed in Tuscany. In the second half of the century, a new current emerges in Florence, with Bologna and Dante’s poetry representing the Dolce Stil Novo. This poetic style responds to the feudal system and the mentality of the new emerging class, where the nobility of blood is challenged by the nobility of the heart, emphasizing merit and effort. Love becomes a symbol of divinity, with the donna angelicata venerated as a means of refining the soul and aspiring to earn heaven. Dante Alighieri and the Divine Comedy is a monumental work that took him 15 years to complete, with the last part published posthumously in 1321. Argument and Structure: Dante embarks on a journey through hell, purgatory, and heaven to purify his soul. In hell and purgatory, he is guided by Virgil, while Beatrice symbolizes divine love in heaven. The work consists of three parts: hell, purgatory, and paradise, each containing 33 cantos plus one introductory canto. Hell is depicted as an amphitheater of nine concentric circles where sinners endure terrible torments. Purgatory is a mountain shaped like a truncated cone where seven terraces allow repentant sinners to atone and purify themselves. Paradise is the summit of the mountain, where the blessed reside, culminating in Dante’s vision of God and divine light. Characteristics: This allegorical poem blends Christianity with pagan mythology, showcasing the purification of the soul through encounters with historical figures from both ancient and contemporary times. Dante employs vivid language and classical Latin, mixing popular forms with the hendecasyllable and establishing a triplet structure. Francesco Petrarca, born in Arezzo in the 14th century, met Laura, who became his muse. He dedicated his life to retrieving and disseminating Latin classics and his literary creations, writing in both Latin and Italian. His two significant works are Triumphs, an allegorical narrative poem, and Canzoniere, which consists of 366 compositions, including 317 sonnets. The main theme is love, divided into two phases: before and after Laura’s death. His style is characterized by exquisite language, abundant literary devices, oppositions, and metaphors. Giovanni Boccaccio, born in Florence but also living in Naples, met great figures like Petrarca. His works, written in Latin and Italian, include The Corbaccio and Decameron. The Decameron recounts the escape of ten young people over ten days in Florence during the plague, where they entertain themselves by telling stories. This collection reflects the eroticism and ingenuity of its characters, marking a shift from medieval sin and guilt to the enjoyment of life during the Renaissance.