F0910 Pictures of Italy in the Eyes of British and American Travel Writers

Italy has always had a special place in the literary imagination—witness Shakespeare’s tragedies of passion—but it has especially stimulating to Anglo-American writers since the rise of Romanticism. Many writers from colder climates have experienced Italy as an emotional release, with the beauty of the landscape, the matchless depth of the art and culture, and the warmth and emotional intensity of the people providing a stimulus and freedom they never experienced at home. This course examines poetry, drama and fiction by American and British (and one German) writers with Italy as the setting. One important theme is the place of Italy in the imaginations of writers like Byron, Shelley, Hawthorne, James, the Brownings, and Edith Wharton, all of whom produced major works with Italy as the setting. A second theme concerns the effect of Italian cities and landscapes on literary forms in English—the difference that an Italian setting makes to a writer like Byron or Hawthorne. A third theme is the use of literature as a way of coming to know Italian history and culture through the sensibilities of some of our greatest writers.

Classes are conducted as discussions of the assigned readings. There will be small-group presentations on topics like social issues, historical contexts, and authors’ lives. Writing assignments will consist of one short (5-page) mid-term paper, a longer (10-page) final paper, and a final exam.

No preliminary knowledge is required for this course