2. Vita Nuova

Dante in Translation (ITAL 310)
This lecture is devoted to the Vita nuova, Dante's autobiographical account of his "double apprenticeship" in poetry and love. The poet's love for Beatrice is explored as the catalyst for his search for a new poetic voice. Medieval theories of love and the diverse poetics they inspired are discussed in contrast. The novelty of the poet's final resolution is tied to the relationship he discovers between love and knowledge. This relationship is then placed in its larger cultural context to highlight the Vita nuova's anticipation of the Divine Comedy.
00:00 - Chapter 1. An Introduction to "Vita nuova" and Its Autobiographical Structure
10:52 - Chapter 2. Double Poise Structure
23:41 - Chapter 3. Dante Writes about Love
34:53 - Chapter 4. Understandings of Love and Friendship
45:12 - Chapter 5. The Sweet New Style
51:56 - Chapter 6. The Apparition of Beatrice; Moving in Circles
59:32 - Chapter 7. "Vita nuova" as a Preamble to the "Divine Comedy"
01:02:39 - Chapter 8. Remarks on Dante's Life; Question and Answer
Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: open.yale.edu/c...
This course was recorded in Fall 2008.