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https://doi.org/10.38003/zrffs.18.5
Christopher Columbus in the Literary Works of Giacomo Leopardi: A Blend of Historical Reality and Literary Interpretation
Eliana Moscarda Mirković
; Sveučilište Jurja Dobrile u Puli
Giada Fratini
; Škola po italianski ezik Dolče Stilnovo
Sažetak
This paper undertakes a critical examination of the character of Christopher Columbus within the oeuvre of Giacomo Leopardi, identifying four key manifestations of this complex figure. Engaging rigorously with the extensive body of existing critical literature, the study delineates its sources while exploring various interpretative frameworks relevant to Leopardi’s literary corpus. The first encounter with the character of Columbus occurs in Storia dell’astronomia dalla sua origine fino all’anno MDCCCXIII (History of Astronomy from its Origin until 1813), followed by a second in Saggio sopra gli errori popolari degli antichi (Essay on the Popular Errors of the Ancients) − two formative works in Leopardi’s early career, both replete with rich interpretative insights. The analysis then transitions to Leopardi’s poignant poem Ad Angelo Mai (To Angelo Mai), where Columbus emerges as a figure embodying a duality: he is both extolled for his pioneering discovery of the New World and criticized for the far-reaching consequences of that epic venture. Within this literary context, Columbus is intriguingly portrayed as a new Ulysses − an intrepid explorer navigating the vast unknown, who possesses the ability to distill the world into a mere ‘brief map,’ thus replacing boundless imagination with the often-harsh realities of existence. The essay concludes with a detailed exploration of Dialogo di Cristoforo Colombo e di Pietro Gutierrez (Dialogue of Christopher Columbus and Pietro Gutierrez), a compelling piece written in 1824 and included in the Operette morali (The Moral Essays). This section analyzes prominent critical interpretations of the dialogue, focusing on the themes of journey, doubt, anticipation, hope, and the pursuit of knowledge. The research underscores the originality and distinctiveness of Columbus’ portrayal in Leopardi’s works, revealing how he captures profound philosophical an poetic dimensions that resonate powerfully with the poet’s overarching worldview and existential reflections on life.
Ključne riječi
Italian literature; 19th century; Giacomo Leopardi; Christopher Columbus; intertextuality; comparative analysis
Hrčak ID:
340863
URI
Datum izdavanja:
12.12.2025.
Posjeta: 389 *