Il «Morgante» di Luigi Pulci

Summary

The video script explores Luigi Pulci's epic poem *Morgante*, a satirical and humorous take on the chivalric cycle, blending sacred and profane elements. Set during the wars of Charlemagne and his paladins against the Moors, it features bizarre characters like Morgante, a giant who converts to Christianity, and Margutte, a half-giant rogue. The poem's tone is comedic, with grotesque episodes and sharp critiques of religion and society. Despite its unique style, *Morgante* was overshadowed by other epics of the Renaissance, though its influence resurfaced in later works like those of Rabelais and Pirandello.

Takeaways

• 😀 Francesco De Sanctis described Luigi Pulci's 'Morgante' as a mix of sacred and profane, blending comedy and seriousness without aiming for heroic character traits.
• 😀 'Morgante' is an epic poem by Pulci, set in the context of Charlemagne's wars against the Moors in Spain, with 28 cantos in octaves, and features elements of the Carolingian cycle.
• 😀 The poem has a comedic and irreverent tone, catering to the court of Lorenzo de' Medici, with its chaotic and diverse plot that borrows from earlier 14th and 15th-century poems.
• 😀 Each canto opens with a religious invocation, often to the Virgin Mary, and features self-contained episodes with loose connections between them.
• 😀 Morgante, the giant who is defeated by Orlando and converted to Christianity, is the central character, and his name was used for the title of the poem.
• 😀 Margutte, a 'half-giant,' is another key character who embraces a hedonistic lifestyle and is a parody of religious figures. He dies humorously when he sees a monkey wearing his boots.
• 😀 Astarotte, a devil summoned by the magician Malagigi, plays a paradoxical role in the poem by questioning Christian doctrines, suggesting that non-Christians can attain salvation if their faith is sincere.
• 😀 The poem anticipates the discovery of the New World by describing an unknown continent and its inhabitants who are ignorant of Christianity but can still achieve salvation.
• 😀 The Battle of Roncesvalles, a pivotal moment in the poem, is described in grotesque terms, with the blood of the fallen Moors compared to rivers in Hell and their bodies consumed by Lucifer.
• 😀 Despite its rich stylistic innovations and the use of colloquial language, Pulci's 'Morgante' was less successful than other works of the period and was overshadowed by other epics like 'Orlando Innamorato' by Boiardo.

Q & A

Who was Luigi Pulci and what is he known for?

Luigi Pulci was a Florentine writer active at the court of Lorenzo de' Medici in the late 15th century. He is best known for his epic poem 'Morgante,' which tells the story of the wars of Charlemagne and his knights against the Moors in Spain.

What is the structure and content of 'Morgante'?

'Morgante' is a poem composed of 28 cantari (sections), written in ottava rima. It recounts the adventures of Charlemagne and his knights, blending serious and humorous elements, and incorporates many grotesque and comical twists.

How does Francesco De Sanctis describe 'Morgante' in his 'History of Italian Literature'?

Francesco De Sanctis describes 'Morgante' as a mix of the sacred and the profane, the comical and the serious. He notes that Pulci does not attempt to give it an epic, heroic character but rather creates a work full of humor and irreverence.

What was the intended purpose of 'Morgante'?

'Morgante' was likely intended for performance at court gatherings, where it would be read aloud or recited for an audience. Its episodic nature and diverse characters suggest it was designed to entertain with humor and amusement.

What role does Morgante, the giant, play in the poem?

Morgante is a giant who is defeated by the hero Orlando at the beginning of the poem. He later converts to Christianity and becomes Orlando's squire. His character is eccentric, wielding a large bell's clapper as a weapon, and he plays a central, if humorous, role in the story.

Who is Margutte and how does his character contribute to the narrative?

Margutte is a 'half-giant' who meets Morgante during his travels. He is a paradoxical character—he wanted to become a giant but stopped midway. Margutte is a morally corrupt figure, addicted to food, alcohol, and gambling, and is involved in many comedic and mischievous acts with Morgante.

What is the significance of Astarotte, the devil, in the poem?

Astarotte, a devil summoned by the magician Malagigi, plays a significant role in helping the Christians against the Moors. His characterization is unusual, as he discusses the possibility of salvation for non-Christians, contradicting Christian doctrine, and he also describes the spherical shape of the Earth and unknown lands across the seas.

What is the depiction of the battle of Roncisvalle in 'Morgante'?

In 'Morgante,' the battle of Roncisvalle, where the rear guard of Charlemagne's army is ambushed by the Moors, is described in grotesque, even culinary terms. The blood is compared to the river Flegethon from Dante’s Inferno, and the corpses are consumed by Lucifer, depicted humorously as feeding them to his mouth like a bird.

Why is Pulci's language in 'Morgante' considered complex and difficult to read?

Pulci’s language in 'Morgante' is considered complex because it blends formal and colloquial terms, using a highly inventive and stylistically rich vocabulary. It incorporates various dialects and slang, making it challenging for readers and contributing to its relatively limited success compared to other works of the time.

What is the historical and cultural context of 'Morgante'?

'Morgante' was written during the Italian Renaissance, a period of intellectual and artistic flourishing, at the court of the Medici family. The poem reflects the humanist spirit of the time, while also challenging religious and cultural norms through its comic and irreverent tone.