L'antipetrarchismo nell'opera di Alessandro Tassoni

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the primary texts (of which there are no modern editions) as well as the related writings of the Seventeenth century’s most intriguing literary dispute: Alessandro Tassoni vs Giuseppe degli Aromatari. The analysis was extended to the following texts: Considerazioni (1609) by Tassoni; Risposte (1611)by Aromatari; Avvertimenti di Crescenzio Pepe (1611) by Tassoni; Dialoghi di Falcidio Melampodio (1613) by Aromatari; La tenda rossa di Girolamo Nomisenti (1613) by Tassoni and the defamatory literature (from 1613 to 1633). There are three pseudonyms encircling this debate: Crescenzio Pepe (Tassoni in his Avvertimenti), Falcidio Melampodio (Aromatari in his Dialoghi) and Girolamo Nomisenti (Tassoni in La tenda rossa). A systematic critical re-reading of all relevant texts renders irrefutably clear, and inevitable, the conclusion that Tassoni deserves the title of herald of modernity. He was a relentless pursuer of all things new.The contents are subdivided into four chapters, two indices and two appendices. The history of Seventeenth century criticism up until 2012 is the subject of the first chapter. What emerges from this review is that the texts of the debate have never been systematically studied. Therefore a thorough re-reading was essential in order to achieve a satisfactory sense of clarity and precision. At the end of our study, Tassoni appeared as a man wounded by the malice of his age, but also as a tireless agent of culture and a forerunner of modernity. The second chapter, divided into four parts, is dedicated to the literary debate itself and the analysis of Tassoni’s Considerazioni, which may be regarded as the catalyst to the entire conflict and the ensuing controversy. The third chapter contains the analysis of Aromatari’s Risposte and Tassoni’s Avvertimenti. This chapter unquestionably demonstrates that although Tassoni and Aromatari seem initially to be adversaries, they were really on the same side. Included is a summary table of documents on the dispute, from which we determine that the traditional view of Aromatari as “enemy” to Tassoni must be amended. The fourth chapter examines Aromatari’s counter-argument (Dialoghi), Tassoni’s comeback (La tenda rossa) and the defamatory texts.