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Renaissance Imitation and Parody

Module Code: IT326
Module Name: Renaissance Imitation and Parody
Module Coordinator: Dr Maude Vanhaelen

Term 1

Module Credits: 15

Module Description

Were Renaissance Italians as obsessed with being ‘original’ and ‘innovative’ as we are today? Why were they so keen to imitate the authors and artists of Antiquity? How did they view issues such as plagiarism and forgery? This module explores the ways in which Renaissance scholars and artists appropriated the past (in particular Antiquity) and reflected on what it meant to imitate ancient authors that were considered to be authorities in their field. Through a series of case studies (including literature, philosophy and visual art) arranged chronologically and thematically it explores key characterics of Renaissance Italian culture, including the rise of humanism and their critical engagement with sources, the tension between the revival of ancient pagan paganism and Christianity, the attempts to move beyond mere imitation of the classics, and cases of plagiarism of forgery. We will study Renaissance texts (Latin texts in translation, Italian text in the original) and images. Thus the module seeks to present a coherent and multidisciplinary picture of the reception of Antiquity in Renaissance Italy, in areas including literature, philosophy and visual arts. It will also seek to focus on how the study of Renaissance culture can help us learn something about current notions of ‘originality’, ‘innovation’ and ‘plagiarism’.

Assessment:

4,000-4,500 word essay

Dr Maude Vanhaelen

M dot Vanhaelen at warwick dot ac dot uk