Topic: Momenti e figure del comico rinascimentale.  This course will
focus on the comic literature of the Italian Renaissance. We will
explore the nature and various manifestations of comedy in genres
such as the novella, the facetia, the apologue, the heroic
and mock-heroic poem, and the satire. Special attention will be paid
to the works of, among others, Ariosto, Machiavelli and Berni.
Students will be expected to write three short essays, give an oral
presentation, and take a final exam. The class will be conducted in
Italian.

Required Texts: La novella del grasso legnaiuolo; Niccolò
Machiavelli, La mandragola - Belfagor. All other texts will
be available in a reader.