Accessibility statement

Poetry in Motion: The Development of Verse in Italy from the 13th to the 16th Century - ENG00088M

« Back to module search

  • Department: English and Related Literature
  • Module co-ordinator: Information currently unavailable
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

Between the 13th and 16th centuries, Italy was a leading centre in the development, elaboration and diffusion of different poetic forms and genres, as well for theorization on poetics. The sonnet, the narrative poems in ottava rima proved to be extremely influential on the international scene, Italian humanists revived discussions on classical meters and poetics determining the development of European poetry for centuries to come. This seminar will try to trace the history of Italian poetry across these centuries, including discussions of crucial authors such as Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Pulci, Ariosto and Tasso. The seminar will take into account the multilingual nature of the Italian worlds of poetry, considering not just poems written in Italian, but also in Latin, French and Occitan, and analysing the multiple connections between the peninsula and the literatures of Europe and the Mediterranean world.

All the text will be read in English: no linguistic knowledge is required. All the secondary literature will be in English too.

Module learning outcomes

Subject content

·To acquire a general knowledge of the literatures of Italy in the Late Middle Ages and the Early Renaissance

  • To understand the development of poetic forms and genres in Medieval and Early Renaissance Italy
  • To acquire a general overview of the development of development of the theorization of poetics in late Medieval an Early Renaissance Italy
  • To understand the role of poetry in Italian society in the Late Middle Ages and the Early Renaissance
  • A knowledge of the influence of poetry from Italy on other European literatures (including English literature)

Academic and graduate skills

  • read closely and critically, both primary and secondary material, to a high level;
  • articulate, orally and in writing, innovative and cogent critical arguments;

Indicative assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
4500 word essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
4500 word essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

For more information about the feedback you will receive for your work, see section 12 of the department's Guide to Assessment (PDF , 1,244kb).

Indicative reading

Information currently unavailable


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.