which indeed was pretty extensive, and comprehended many who did not exercise the offices of religious ministry. But even the clergy were, for a long period, not very materially superior, as a body, to the uninstructed laity. A cloud of ignorance overspread the whole face of the church, hardly broken by a few glimmering lights, who owe much of their distinction to the surrounding darkness. In the sixth century the best writers in Latin were scarcely read; and perhaps from the middle of this age to the eleventh there was, in a general view of literature, little difference to be discerned. If we look more accurately, there will appear certain gradual shades of twilight on each side of the greatest obscurity. France reached her lowest point about the beginning of the eighth century; but England was at that time more respectable, and did not fall into complete degradation till the middle of the ninth. There could be nothing more deplorable than the state of letters in Italy and in England during the succeeding century; but France cannot be denied to have been uniformly, though very slowly, progressive from the time of Charlemagne. (HALLAM, Middle Ages, Chap. ix. Part 1.) -- 2. What is the proper translation of the Romance languages' into Italian? How do you explain the terms: vulgare Latinum; Latino vulgare; lingua cortigiana; lingua Toscana; lengatge Lombard; vulgare illustre; and lingua Siciliana? What authors made use of some of these different terms? 3. In what century was Italian first used by the educated classes? And to what date do you refer this epitaph of Pope Gregory V ?— Usus Franciscâ, vulgari, et voce Latinâ Instituit populos eloquio triplici. Translate and explain the epitaph. 4. What date do you assign to the rise of Italian Literature? and who were the earliest writers in that language? 5. Discuss the views as to the existence of a Lingua Romana Rustica' in Italy. II. Nov. 7, 2 P.M.-5 P.M. History of Italian Literature. 1. Who were the earliest Italian historians, and what are their works? 2. Describe the encouragement given to the study of Latin and Greek in the fifteenth century, and mention its chief promoters. What was the result of their efforts, and what effect had this study of the classics on Italian literature? 3. Distinguish between the burlesco and bernesco styles, and give the origin of these terms. Mention the principal mock-heroic poems in Italy. 4. Give a short sketch of the rise of Epico-romantic poetry in Italy, and state in what great writer it attained to its highest perfection. 5. Compare Tasso's 'Gerusalemme Liberata,' and Ariosto's Orlando Furioso.' What are the other writings of these authors? 6. Give an account of the writings of Machiavelli, and describe his style. 7. Trace the rise of Academies in Italy. What was the Academy della Crusca? 8. What are the chief merits and defects of Metastasio ? Give some account of his life and writings. 9. Give an account of the rise and progress of the Romantic School in Italy. III. Nov. 8, 10 A.M.-1 P.M. 1. Translate into English :- Però non lagrimai, nè rispos' io Tutto quel giorno, nè la notte appresso, E quei pensando ch' io 'I fessi per voglia E disser: Padre, assai ci fia men doglia, Vid' io cascar li tre ad uno ad uno Già cieco a brancolar sovra ciascuno, E due di' li chiamai poi ch' e' fur morti: (DANTE, Inferno, c. xxxiii. 42-75.) 2. Who is speaking? and what is the story he relates? 3. Give a short sketch of Dante's life, with dates. 4. State into how many circles the Inferno was divided, and in what divisions the different classes of persons were placed. Mention some of the principal persons whom Dante has made inhabitants of the Inferno, and quote any passages in which he refers to them. 5. Translate the following passages, and explain the words in italics : Non avea pianto ma che di sospiri.' Inf. 4. 25. Inf. 9. 54. Inf. 14.68. 'Danno un de' tuoi, a cui noi siamo a pruovo.' Inf. 12.93. Questo è Nembrotto per lo cui mal coto Pure un linguaggio nel mondo non s'usa.' Inf. 31. 77. 6. What was the general state of Italy in Dante's time? Quote passages from the Inferno which illustrate your view. 7. Translate into English :— Ecco la fiera con la coda aguzza, Che passa i monti, e rompe muri ed armi; Sen venne, ed arrivò la testa e il busto; (DANTE, Inferno, c. xvii. 1–18.) Amante. Rosa fresca aulentissima, Pulzellete maritate: Traemi d' este focora, Se t' este a bolontate, Perchè non aio abento notte e dia, Madonna. Se di meve trabagliati, Follia lo ti fa fare. Lo mar potresti arrompere Avanti a semenare, L'abere d' esto secolo Tutto quanto assembrare, Avereme non poteria esto monno: (Ciullo d' Alcamo.) 2. Translate the above also into English. 3. Explain the words aulentissima; pulzellete; este (v. 5); este (v. 6); bolontate; aio; dia; arrompere; abere; avereme; monno; cavelli; m' arittonno. 4. Who was Ciullo d' Alcamo, and what date is assigned to him by Nannucci? Describe the peculiarities of his style. 5. Account for the rise of Italian poetry in Sicily. 6. Give a list of the prose writers, other than historians, of the 'primo secolo della letteratura italiana,' and of their chief works. And mention which prose writers were also poets. 7. Mention what you know of Fra Guittone, Cecco d'Ascoli, Pietro Bembo, Sannazzaro, Guicciardini, Tassoni, Alfieri. 8. Translate into English: Lo badalisco allo specchio lucente Da ch' egli è presso allo suo finimento: Che allegro vado a morte alle bellezze, E stando gaio, divento smarruto, (Jacopo da Lentino.) 9. What do you know of Jacopo da Lentino? 10. Explain badalisco, isbadilmento, cecer, paon, smarruto, reddire. |