The Last Cross: A History of the Suicide Theme in Italian Literature"This study, whose title draws from an aria in Ponchielli's opera La Gioconda, in which the heroine sings of voluntary death as "the last cross" to be born in her life's journey ("Suicidio!.. Ultima croce/Del mio cammin"), offers an original history of a timehonored and intriguing theme as it recurs throughout the whole of a major European literature. Beginning with an introductory discussion which provides the philosophical and theological background necessary for an appreciation of the widely divergent ways in which the awesome act of self-destruction has been viewed in both antiquity and the Christian era, the Author proceeds to explore its rich and varied portrayals in the Italian literary tradition from the Middle Ages to our own time. Written so as to be accessible to a broad readership, this history will prove of interest to Italianists of all specializations, as well as to students and scholars of literature in general."--Publisher description. |
Common terms and phrases
act of self-destruction Alberto Moravia Alfieri's Alfierian Alfonso altri anguish Annetta Ariodante Ariosto Bandello's Boccaccio's Boiardo Brutus canto Cato of Utica celebrated century Certainly Cesare Pavese characters Christian Cielo Cielo D'Alcamo cited Classical Hero classical suicide contemplated context Counter-Reformation Dante Decameron despair discussion drama episode Fiammetta final finds Foscolo genre Giacomo Leopardi Giraldi Guido honor human Ibid ideal Italian literature Italo Svevo Jacopo killed knight L'amore coniugale La noia lament later Leopardi literary lover Lucretia Luigi lyricism man's Milano moral Moravia morir morte Nature Ninfale fiesolano noia nonetheless noted novel novella pagan Pavese Pavese's Petrarch philosophical Pirandello poem poet poet's poetry poison portrayal portrays protagonist protest provides recalls Romantic seen serve stabs stanza story suffering suicide for love suicide theme suicidio sword takes tale Tancredi Tasso tion Tisbina Torquato Tasso tradition tragedy tutto Ugo Foscolo virtue vita voluntary death Werther woman youth Zeno