Orlando Furioso and the Renaissance Epic
The Orlando Furioso by Ludovico Ariosto is among the most influential works of European Renaissance literature. In this course, we will situate this Italian romance epic in its literary and historical context (including its inclusion of the legendary Hippogriff, pre-dating Harry Potter by half a millennium!). Ariosto takes his readers all over the globe, to the moon, and beyond, and does so with a humor that will make 21st century readers laugh and even cringe. Through comparison to other Renaissance epics (e.g., The Fairie Queene and Paradise Lost), students will gain a better understanding of Renaissance literature and the epic genre.