Dante's Vita Nuova and the Pre-Raphaelites

Dante Gabriel Rossetti was greatly influenced by Dante as seen in such paintings as The Salutation of Beatrice. You will explore the complex relationship between Dante's poetry in Italy and the art of the Pre-Raphaelites in England.

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Key course information

Date
28/04/12

Day(s)
Sat

Duration
1 week

Time
10:30 - 16:30

Fees
Full fee: £37
Senior fee: £23
Concession: £11

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HLT45

Availability
This course has finished

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti translated Dante Alighieri’s Vita Nuova in 1848. The fourteenth century writer continued to exert an influence over Rossetti and his contemporaries, as seen in paintings like Dante and Beatrice Meeting in Purgatory and The Salutation of Beatrice. The course will explore the complex relationship between Dante’s poetry in Italy and the art of the Pre-Raphaelites in England.

What topics will we cover?

We will explore:
Relevant passages of La Vita Nuova
Some verses of Purgatorio 7, 11,27,28,30
The concept of love in the Middle Ages and in Dante's poetry and the dichotomy between earthly and sensual love
The importance of Beatrice in Dante's life and poetry and Dante's development of love for her from the composition of La Vita Nuova (1294) to the composition of Purgatorio (about 1315)
The importance of La Vita Nuova for the vision of the Comedy especially for Purgatorio
The life and art of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and the Pre-Raphaelite vision
The influence of Dante's image and poetry on Rossetti.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

Summarise the content of La Vita Nuova and demonstrate its relevancy for Purgatorio
Analyse the concept of love in both La Vita Nuova and Purgatorio 30 and discuss the ambiguity resulting from the contrast between mystical and sensual love in the two works
Explain what the poetry of Dante and the works of the Pre- Raphaelites have in common
Discuss the relevance of Beatrice as a powerful image
Have an appreciation of the processes/techniques used by Dante in his poetry and the Pre-Raphaelites in their art
Discuss successful and unsuccessful outcomes in the work observed.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

The course is open to all. You do not need to have studied art history, literature, or Italian before. You will need an enthusiasm for reading and discussing a range of texts in large and small groups. You will be willing and able to do some reading and preparation outside the class. You will be interested in listening to, and learning from, the responses of other students to the work discussed. You will have a commitment to developing your analytical skills.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course is classroom based. Reading from Purgatorio, Penguin ed. translation by Musa; and from La Vita Nuova, Penguin, Trans. Barbara Reynolds and from various poems - copies provided. There will also be slide presentations by the tutors with the opportunity for group discussion throughout. There will also be some pairs/small group activities. There will be suggestions for background reading but this is not essential.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No. You may find it useful to bring a notebook.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:

During term-time Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time Monday 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.