9 -- Alessandro Manzoni e i promessi sposi -- Alberto Asor Rosa

Eduflix Italia

6 Sept 201309:23

Summary

TLDRAlessandro Manzoni, born in Milan in 1785, was a pivotal figure in Italian literature, representing the advanced urban culture of the time. His work, influenced by his conversion to Catholicism, spanned genres including poetry and drama. Manzoni's 'I Promessi Sposi', completed in 1840, is a cornerstone of Italian literature. His life, marked by the periods of Enlightenment, Napoleonic era, and the Risorgimento, culminated in his acceptance of a senatorial role in the newly united Italy, symbolizing his commitment to national unity.

Takeaways

📚 Alessandro Manzoni and Giacomo Leopardi are considered two of Italy's greatest authors, representing the advanced urban culture of Milan and the peripheral culture of the Marche region, respectively.
🎭 Manzoni was a significant poet and narrator, while Leopardi was known for his poetry, and both were driven by passion and vocation rather than professional necessity.
👨‍🎓 Manzoni was born in Milan in 1785 to a noble father and a mother who was the heir of Cesare Beccaria, an Italian Enlightenment thinker.
🌍 Manzoni spent five years in Paris, where he met and married Enrichetta Blondel, a Swiss Calvinist, which led to his conversion to Catholicism in 1810.
📖 Manzoni dedicated many years to writing 'I Promessi Sposi', moving to Florence to improve his knowledge of spoken Italian, and completed the novel in 1840.
🗓️ Manzoni's work 'Il Conte di Carmagnola' and 'La morti di Adone' were written, and he also composed sacred hymns and other poems.
🏛️ After the Five Days of Milan in 1848, Manzoni decided to publish 'La Marchesa di Carmagnola', composed years earlier in honor of the Piedmontese revolution against Austria.
🏆 Manzoni's prestige was recognized by intellectuals and politicians, and he was appointed president of the Lombardo Institute by King Victor Emmanuel I.
🏛️ In 1860, Manzoni was made a senator of the Kingdom of Italy, and despite his advanced age, he actively participated in the political process, including voting for the transfer of the capital from Turin to Florence and then to Rome.
💡 Manzoni's life spanned a significant part of European and Italian history, from the Enlightenment and revolutionary period through the Napoleonic era, the active phase of the Risorgimento, and up to the achievement of Italian unification.

Q & A

Who are the two great authors mentioned at the beginning of the script as representatives of Italian literature?
-The two great authors mentioned are Alessandro Manzoni and Giacomo Leopardi.
What are the distinct cultural backgrounds of Alessandro Manzoni and Giacomo Leopardi?
-Alessandro Manzoni is a representative of the most advanced Italian urban culture of his time, specifically Milanese culture, while Giacomo Leopardi represents a peripheral and secluded culture, like that of a small center in the Marche region.
What common aspect do Alessandro Manzoni and Giacomo Leopardi share according to the script?
-Both Alessandro Manzoni and Giacomo Leopardi are described as practicing literature and poetry not so much for professional reasons, but rather for pleasure, passion, and vocation.
In which year was Alessandro Manzoni born and where did he complete his education?
-Alessandro Manzoni was born in Milan in 1785. He completed his education in the best religious colleges.
Why did Alessandro Manzoni's marriage to Enrichetta Blondel influence his life?
-Alessandro Manzoni's marriage to Enrichetta Blondel, a Swiss Calvinist, led him to reconsider the role of religion in his life, which eventually resulted in his conversion to Catholicism in 1810, an event that influenced his entire artistic career.
What significant work did Alessandro Manzoni dedicate many years to writing?
-Alessandro Manzoni dedicated many years to writing 'I Promessi Sposi' (The Betrothed), a novel that he completed in 1840.
What historical event did Alessandro Manzoni celebrate with his poem 'Il Cinque Maggio'?
-Alessandro Manzoni celebrated the historical event of the revolution in Piedmont against Austria with his poem 'Il Cinque Maggio'.
How was Alessandro Manzoni's prestige recognized during his lifetime?
-Alessandro Manzoni's prestige was recognized by all the intellectuals and politicians of his country. King Victor Emmanuel I appointed him president of the Lombardo Institute, and in 1860, he was made a senator of the Kingdom of Italy.
In what year did Alessandro Manzoni die and at what age?
-Alessandro Manzoni died on May 22, 1873, at the age of 88.
How did Alessandro Manzoni's life span reflect the historical period he lived through?
-Alessandro Manzoni's life spanned a significant part of European and Italian history, from the Enlightenment and revolutionary period, through the entire Napoleonic era, the restoration, the most active and dynamic phase of the Risorgimento, and up to the achievement of Italian unification.
What political stance did Alessandro Manzoni take regarding the unification of Italy?
-Alessandro Manzoni was in favor of the unification of Italy. He accepted the position of senator of the Kingdom of Italy in 1869 and actively participated in the political process by voting on the transfer of the capital from Turin to Florence and then to Rome.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to Italian Literature Giants

This paragraph introduces two towering figures of Italian literature, Alessandro Manzoni and Giacomo Leopardi, highlighting their contrasting backgrounds and contributions. Manzoni, from the advanced Milanese culture, and Leopardi, from a peripheral culture of the Marches, are described as representatives of their respective cultural spheres. Despite their differences, both are noted for their passion for literature and poetry, not as a profession but as a hobby and calling. The paragraph emphasizes their shared aspect of being great dilettantes, with Manzoni's work reflecting an effort to reproduce the cultural and literary models that were gaining prominence in Europe at the time.

05:02

🎓 Alessandro Manzoni: Life and Literary Journey

Alessandro Manzoni was born in Milan in 1785 to a noble father and a mother who was the heir of Cesare Beccaria, a prominent figure of the Italian Enlightenment. After his parents separated, Manzoni completed his education in the finest religious colleges. He led a worldly life, meeting renowned literary figures of his time. In 1805, he visited Paris, where he stayed for five years and married Enrichetta Blondel, a Swiss Calvinist, which led to his conversion to Catholicism in 1810, significantly influencing his artistic career. Manzoni settled back in Milan in 1810, dedicating himself to literature, composing sacred hymns and tragedies. He spent years perfecting 'I Promessi Sposi,' even traveling to Florence to deepen his knowledge of spoken Italian. The novel was completed in 1840. In 1848, following the Five Days of Milan, he published 'La Marchesa di Carousel,' composed years earlier in honor of the Piedmontese revolution against Austria. Manzoni's prestige was recognized by intellectuals and politicians, and he was appointed president of the Lombardo Institute by King Victor Emmanuel I. In 1860, he was made a senator of the Kingdom of Italy, and he passed away in Milan in 1873.

🌟 Manzoni's Legacy and Political Engagement

This paragraph delves into Manzoni's long life, spanning from the Enlightenment and revolutionary period to the achievement of Italian unification. Born in 1785, Manzoni lived until 1873, witnessing significant historical changes in Europe and Italy. His life was rooted in the intellectual and political currents of his time, and he actively engaged with the cause of Italian unification. Despite being a Catholic from Milan, he embraced the unification movement and accepted the position of senator in 1869, defying expectations from more conservative Catholic circles. Manzoni's commitment to the cause was evident when he traveled to Turin twice, once to vote for the transfer of the capital from Turin to Florence and later from Florence to Rome, demonstrating his support for a united Italy. His actions countered the anti-unification sentiments of some within the Church of Rome, showing his dedication to the Italian cause.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Alessandro Manzoni

Alessandro Manzoni was a prominent Italian poet and novelist, best known for his novel 'I Promessi Sposi'. Born in Milan in 1785, he was a figure of the Italian cultural renaissance and a key contributor to the development of the modern Italian language. His work is deeply tied to the theme of the video, which explores the Italian literature of his time. The script mentions Manzoni's conversion to Catholicism and his dedication to literature, both of which significantly influenced his work and life.

💡Giacomo Leopardi

Giacomo Leopardi was an Italian poet and philosopher, representing a more peripheral culture compared to Manzoni's urban Milanese background. Leopardi's work is characterized by a deep introspection and a critical view of society, which contrasts with Manzoni's more optimistic and religiously influenced writings. The script positions Leopardi as a significant figure in Italian literature, highlighting the diversity of cultural expressions during the period.

💡Italian Literature

Italian Literature is the body of written works in the Italian language, and the video script focuses on its development during the period of Manzoni and Leopardi. The term encompasses a wide range of texts, from poetry to novels, and is central to understanding the cultural and historical context of Italy during this time. The script discusses how Manzoni and Leopardi, despite their differences, both contributed to shaping Italian literature.

💡Culture

Culture, in the context of the script, refers to the customs, arts, and intellectual achievements of a particular society, especially considering the differences between urban and peripheral cultures in Italy. Manzoni represents the advanced urban culture of Milan, while Leopardi embodies the more secluded culture of the Marche region. The video explores how these cultural backgrounds influenced the authors' works and their perspectives on society.

💡Borghesia

Borghesia, or bourgeoisie, refers to the social class of owners of the means of production, typically characterized by their economic and cultural influence. The script mentions that Manzoni and Leopardi were not professional writers driven by economic necessity but were part of the bourgeoisie who practiced literature as a hobby, passion, and vocation. This detail provides insight into their social status and the motivations behind their literary contributions.

💡I Promessi Sposi

I Promessi Sposi, or 'The Betrothed', is Alessandro Manzoni's most famous work, a historical novel that is considered a masterpiece of Italian literature. The script mentions Manzoni's dedication to the novel, which took him many years to write and required him to study the Italian language in depth. The novel is a significant part of the video's narrative as it exemplifies Manzoni's literary achievements and his contribution to Italian culture.

💡Restoration

The Restoration was a period in European history following the fall of Napoleon, characterized by the return of the monarchy and the conservative forces in various countries. The script places Manzoni's life and work within the context of the Restoration, noting how he experienced this period and the subsequent more active and dynamic phase of the Italian Risorgimento.

💡Risorgimento

The Risorgimento was the political and social movement that led to the unification of Italy in the 19th century. The script highlights Manzoni's involvement with the cause of Italian unification, showing how his later life and work were influenced by and contributed to this significant historical event.

💡Catholicism

Catholicism is a branch of Christianity, and the script discusses Manzoni's conversion to Catholicism, which had a profound impact on his life and work. His conversion is presented as a turning point that influenced his artistic career, demonstrating the interplay between personal beliefs and literary production in the video's narrative.

💡Intellectuals

Intellectuals, in the context of the script, refer to the educated and cultured individuals, often engaged in artistic or scholarly pursuits. The script mentions that Manzoni's prestige was recognized by the intellectuals and politicians of his time, reflecting his influence and the esteem in which he was held within the cultural and political spheres of Italy.

💡Unification of Italy

The Unification of Italy refers to the historical process that led to the creation of a single Italian state in the 19th century. The script discusses Manzoni's acceptance of the role as a senator of the Kingdom of Italy and his support for the transfer of the capital to Rome, actions that symbolize his commitment to the cause of Italian unification and his willingness to engage with the political aspects of the process.

Highlights

Alessandro Manzoni and Giacomo Leopardi are two great Italian authors of different backgrounds, representing advanced Milanese culture and peripheral culture of the Marche region, respectively.

Both Manzoni and Leopardi practiced literature and poetry not for professional reasons but for passion and vocation.

Alessandro Manzoni was born in Milan in 1785, coming from a noble family and an heiress of Cesare Beccaria.

Manzoni's mother was Giulia Beccaria, daughter of the famous Italian Enlightenment thinker Cesare Beccaria, author of 'Dei delitti e delle pene'.

Manzoni completed his education in the best religious colleges and later engaged in worldly life, meeting the most notable literati of his time.

In 1805, Manzoni visited Paris and stayed there for five years, where he met and married Enrichetta Blondel, a Swiss Calvinist.

Manzoni's wife's faith led him to reconsider the role of religion, and in 1810, he converted to Catholicism, which influenced his entire artistic career.

Manzoni's return to Milan in 1810 marked a significant turning point in his life, dedicating himself to literature and writing sacred hymns and tragedies.

Manzoni spent many years writing 'I Promessi Sposi', even traveling to Florence to deepen his knowledge of spoken Italian.

The novel 'I Promessi Sposi' was completed in 1840 and is considered one of Manzoni's most significant works.

In 1848, following the Five Days of Milan, Manzoni decided to publish 'Lode a Marzo', a poem composed years earlier in honor of the Piedmontese revolution against Austria.

Manzoni's prestige was recognized by all Italian intellectuals and politicians, and he was appointed president of the Lombardo Institute by King Victor Emmanuel I.

In 1860, Manzoni was granted the position of senator of the Kingdom of Italy, showing his support for Italian unification.

Despite his advanced age and health issues, Manzoni traveled to Turin twice to vote on the transfer of the capital from Turin to Florence and then to Rome.

Manzoni's life spanned a significant part of European and Italian history, from the Enlightenment and Napoleonic periods to the active phase of the Risorgimento and the achievement of Italian unification.

Alessandro Manzoni died in Milan in 1873, having lived a long life of 88 years, which was quite unusual for those times.