Stefano Prandi - Ariosto e il sogno della modernità

HUB Scuola

2 Aug 201903:45

Summary

TLDRThe script discusses Ludovico Ariosto, a key figure in modernity, known for his masterpiece 'Orlando Furioso'. It is compared to a field of forces where characters are driven by an unending dynamism, constantly pursuing their desires without ever fully achieving them. The work is described as a grand machine of illusions and an open work that reflects on human nature without moral or religious judgment. Ariosto's work is seen as a secular vision, embracing human flaws with benevolence. The theme of madness is explored, including the poet's own, challenging the traditional role of poetry. The script portrays Ariosto as a modern author, highlighting the human aspects of poets and their work.

Takeaways

🎨 Ariosto is considered one of the great fathers of modernity.
📖 His masterpiece, 'Orlando Furioso,' has been compared by Italo Calvino to a field of forces.
🚀 The protagonists are driven by an incessant dynamism, endlessly pursuing their desires without ever achieving them.
🌀 'Orlando Furioso' is described as a great machine of illusions and an open work.
🏰 The Castle of Atlante in the poem represents a place where everyone endlessly chases their desires.
👀 Ariosto's perspective on humanity acknowledges human limitations and flaws without condemning them morally or religiously.
⚖️ 'Orlando Furioso' contrasts sharply with Dante's 'Divine Comedy,' particularly in its portrayal of the afterlife.
🌕 Astolfo's journey to the moon to retrieve Orlando's sanity highlights a system of relativistic values.
🌍 Ariosto's humanistic vision offers a secular and benevolent view of human flaws.
🤪 The theme of madness is self-reflective, with Ariosto addressing his own romantic folly.
🖋️ Poetry is presented as something that powerful people use to ennoble their earthly deeds.
❓ Ariosto questions the function of poetry, suggesting that poets are as fallible as anyone else.
👥 This perspective makes Ariosto a relatable and modern author.

Q & A

Who is considered one of the great fathers of modernity according to the script?
-Ludovico Ariosto, as his masterpiece 'Orlando Furioso' has been compared to a field of forces by Italo Calvino.
What is the main theme of Ariosto's 'Orlando Furioso'?
-The main theme is the continuous pursuit of desires by the protagonists, who are driven by an incessant dynamism without ever reaching their goals.
How is 'Orlando Furioso' described in relation to Dante's 'Divine Comedy'?
-It is described as the reverse of 'The Divine Comedy', presenting a different kind of journey to the afterlife.
What is the significance of the Castle of Atlas in 'Orlando Furioso'?
-The Castle of Atlas is a place within the poem where everyone chases their desires in a nearly circular manner.
How does Ariosto view human limitations and flaws in 'Orlando Furioso'?
-Ariosto views human limitations and flaws without condemning them from a moral or religious perspective, offering a more humanistic and benevolent view.
What does the journey of Astolfo to Hell and then to the Moon signify?
-Astolfo's journey signifies the relativism of values and the humanistic perspective of Ariosto, emphasizing a secular viewpoint.
What is the role of poetry according to the script's discussion on Ariosto's work?
-Poetry is presented as not being absolutely intangible and is subject to human limitations, with poets being depicted as ordinary people with their own weaknesses.
How does Ariosto reflect on the theme of madness in his work?
-Ariosto reflects on the theme of madness not only in the character of Orlando but also in his own life, describing his own love madness for his woman, Alessandra.
What is the implication of the statement that 'great and powerful people use poets'?
-The implication is that the powerful use poetry and poets to glorify their earthly deeds and make their lives appear nobler and more illustrious than they truly were.
How does Ariosto's portrayal of himself and his work contribute to his modernity?
-Ariosto's self-portrayal and his work's themes contribute to his modernity by challenging the traditional function of poetry and acknowledging the human condition, including the poets themselves.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Ludovico Ariosto's Modernity and Orlando Furioso

This paragraph delves into the significance of Ludovico Ariosto as a foundational figure of modernity, with his masterpiece 'Orlando Furioso' likened to a field of forces by Italo Calvino. The narrative is driven by an unending dynamism where characters are ceaselessly in pursuit of their desires, which they never actually attain. The work is depicted as a grand machine of illusions and an open-ended opera, reflecting on human nature and desires in a circular manner within the poem. The Castle of Atlas serves as a pivotal setting where characters chase their true desires. Ariosto's perspective on humanity is highlighted, showing the limitations and flaws of people without moral or religious judgment, positioning 'Orlando Furioso' as a counterpoint to Dante's 'Divine Comedy'. The journey of Astolfo to Hell and then to the Moon in search of Orlando's sanity underscores the theme of relativism and a secular worldview, embracing human imperfections with benevolence.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Modernity

Modernity refers to the period of new ideas, freedom, and a break from tradition, often associated with the Renaissance. In the context of the video, it is suggested that Ludovico Ariosto is one of the fathers of modernity because his masterpiece 'Orlando Furioso' reflects a dynamic and evolving world, much like the modern era. The video presents Ariosto's work as a precursor to modern thought, with its emphasis on human desires and the relativity of values.

💡Orlando Furioso

Orlando Furioso is Ariosto's most famous work, an epic poem that has been likened to a 'field of forces' where characters are driven by continuous dynamics, pursuing their desires without ever fully achieving them. The video highlights this work as a significant representation of Ariosto's contribution to modern literature, showcasing a world of illusions and an open-ended narrative that mirrors the complexities of human experience.

💡Humanism

Humanism is a cultural and intellectual movement that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, typically characterized by a focus on classical learning and the pursuit of secular knowledge. The video mentions humanism in relation to Ariosto's work, suggesting that it offers a secular and benevolent view of human flaws, which is a departure from the moral and religious perspectives often found in earlier literature.

💡Relativism

Relativism is the philosophical concept that truth and morality are not absolute but are relative to the individual or culture. The video script discusses Ariosto's portrayal of values in 'Orlando Furioso' as being relative, indicating that the poem challenges the fixed moral frameworks of the past and embraces a more nuanced understanding of human behavior and desires.

💡Astolfo's Journey

Astolfo's journey in 'Orlando Furioso' is a significant narrative within the poem where he travels to the moon in search of Orlando's lost sanity. The video uses this journey as an example of Ariosto's exploration of the relativity of values and the human condition, contrasting it with Dante's more moralistic and religious journey in 'The Divine Comedy'.

💡The Divine Comedy

The Divine Comedy is Dante Alighieri's epic poem that describes a journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. The video script contrasts Ariosto's 'Orlando Furioso' with Dante's work, suggesting that while Dante's journey is guided by moral and religious principles, Ariosto's work presents a more secular and humanistic view of the world.

💡Desire

Desire is a central theme in the video script, as it is in 'Orlando Furioso'. Characters in the poem are described as being driven by an 'unceasing dynamism', constantly pursuing their desires. This theme reflects the human condition's complexity and the relentless pursuit of goals, which is a key aspect of the modern human experience.

💡Folly

Folly, or madness, is a recurring theme in the video and in 'Orlando Furioso'. The video mentions the 'folly of Orlando' and Ariosto's own 'folly in love' for his muse, Alessandra. This theme is used to explore the irrational aspects of human behavior and the poet's self-awareness of his own human weaknesses.

💡Poetry and Power

The video discusses the relationship between poetry and power, suggesting that poets are often used by the 'great and powerful' to elevate their earthly deeds and make them more illustrious than they truly are. This concept challenges the traditional view of poetry as a pure and untouchable art form, emphasizing its connection to human ambition and societal structures.

💡Human Weaknesses

Human weaknesses are portrayed in the video as universal traits that even poets and their works cannot escape. By acknowledging these weaknesses, Ariosto's work is presented as being relatable and modern, as it does not shy away from the imperfections and vulnerabilities inherent in the human experience.

💡Crisis of Poetry

The crisis of poetry in the video refers to the questioning of the role and value of poetry in society, as it is depicted as being manipulated by the powerful. However, the video also suggests that this crisis does not negate the value of poetry, but rather highlights the human nature of poets and the inherent complexities of artistic creation.

Highlights

Ariosto is considered one of the great fathers of modernity.

His masterpiece, 'Orlando Furioso', is compared to a field of forces.

The protagonists are driven by a relentless dynamism.

They are continuously pursuing their desires without ever reaching them.

The work is described as a grand machine of illusions.

It's a large open work that finds a place within the poem, the Castle of Atlas.

In the Castle of Atlas, everyone is truly pursuing their own desires in a circular manner.

Ariosto's view of man sees the limits and flaws without moral or religious condemnation.

'Orlando Furioso' is presented as the reverse of 'The Divine Comedy'.

It stages a journey to the afterlife that is very different from Dante's.

Astolfo's journey to Hell and then to the Moon to find Orlando's sanity highlights relativism.

The world of 'Orlando Furioso' has nothing more of the world that was Dante's.

The author's vision is secular, seeing human flaws with benevolence thanks to humanism.

The theme of madness is addressed by the author, including his own.

Poetry itself is presented as not being absolutely intangible in relation to human limits.

Ariosto questions the function of poetry, but does not deny its value.

He acknowledges that poets are human and subject to the same weaknesses.

Ariosto confirms being a modern author, close to us in every respect.