BIGnomi - Ugo Foscolo (Claudio Santamaria)

Summary

This video script delves into the life and work of Ugo Foscolo, exploring his early years in Greece, his revolutionary ideals, and the impact of the political climate on his poetic career. It highlights his major works like 'Le ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis', 'I Sepolcri', and 'Le Grazie', showcasing his struggles with ideals versus reality, his disillusionment with Napoleon, and his later years in London. The script paints a picture of Foscolo's intellectual journey, his search for artistic harmony, and his lasting influence on literature.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ugo Foscolo was born in 1778 in Zante, Greece, to a Venetian father and a Greek mother.
• 😀 Foscolo studied in Spalato and moved to Italy after his father's death.
• 😀 He embraced libertarian and Jacobin ideals and worked as a provisional secretary when Napoleon's army took over Venice in 1797.
• 😀 Foscolo became disillusioned when the Treaty of Campo Formio ceded Venice to the Austrians, leading him to realize the gap between ideals and reality.
• 😀 He moved to Milan, where he met Giuseppe Parini and Vincenzo Monti, and began collaborating with literary journals.
• 😀 In 1798, Foscolo wrote *Le ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis*, an autobiographical novel reflecting his existential crisis.
• 😀 In 1803, he published a poetry collection with notable works such as *A Zacinto*, *Alla Musa*, and *In morte del fratello Giovanni*.
• 😀 Foscolo wrote *I Sepolcri* in 1807, reflecting on death and the symbolic role of tombs in preserving memory and virtues of the deceased.
• 😀 After becoming disillusioned with Napoleon, Foscolo moved to Florence in 1812, where he composed the unfinished *Le Grazie*, a work celebrating classical virtues and ideals.
• 😀 Following Napoleon's fall in 1815, Foscolo moved first to Switzerland and later to London, where he wrote extensively on Dante and Petrarch.
• 😀 Foscolo died in Turnham Green, London, in 1827 at the age of 49.

Q & A

Who was Ugo Foscolo, and where was he born?

Ugo Foscolo was an Italian poet, writer, and philosopher, born in 1778 on the island of Zante in Greece. His father was a Venetian doctor, and his mother was Greek.

What were the early influences on Foscolo's political views?

Foscolo was initially influenced by libertarian ideals and became involved with the Jacobins. He supported the ideas of the French Revolution and was disillusioned by the realities of politics after Napoleon's forces took Venice.

What role did Foscolo take on after the arrival of Napoleon’s army in Venice?

After Napoleon’s forces arrived in Venice in 1797, Foscolo became the temporary secretary of the new Venetian government, but he was disillusioned by the Treaty of Campo Formio, which ceded Venice to the Austrians.

What significant work did Foscolo write in 1798, and what was its theme?

In 1798, Foscolo wrote 'Le ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis,' a semi-autobiographical epistolary novel that reflected his deep existential and philosophical crisis.

How did Foscolo’s views on ideals and reality influence his writing?

Foscolo’s disillusionment with the gap between idealistic political visions and harsh realities led to a more reflective and sometimes melancholic approach in his poetry, emphasizing themes of death, memory, and the human condition.

What is the significance of Foscolo's poem 'Dei Sepolcri' ('The Sepulchres')?

Foscolo’s 'Dei Sepolcri,' written in 1807, is a meditation on death and the symbolic importance of tombs and funerary rites. It reflects the link between the living and the dead, asserting that tombs serve as a way to preserve the memory and virtues of the deceased.

What did Foscolo focus on after moving to Florence in 1812?

In Florence, Foscolo enjoyed a period of relative peace and happiness, which influenced his later work. This is evident in his unfinished poem 'Le grazie' ('The Graces'), which celebrates classical ideals of beauty, virtue, and harmony.

What is the theme of 'Le grazie,' and how does it relate to Foscolo's earlier works?

'Le grazie' is a work of three hymns dedicated to the goddesses Venus, Vesta, and Pallas, celebrating classical ideals of beauty and virtue. The poem reflects Foscolo’s shift towards a more harmonious and optimistic view, contrasting with his earlier more tragic works.

What were Foscolo's activities during his time in London?

In London, Foscolo was focused on his ongoing financial struggles, working extensively as a journalist. He contributed to several newspapers and engaged in literary criticism, writing about figures like Dante and Petrarch.

What were some of Foscolo's most important literary contributions while in London?

While in London, Foscolo published essays on the works of Dante and Petrarch. As a literary critic, he demonstrated a deep understanding of both poets, showcasing his original approach to literary analysis.