Magic in Boiardo and Ariosto (Studies in Italian Culture--Literature in History, Vol. 25)

The topos of magic has fascinated people from antiquity to the present day. This study uses a thematic and structural approach to examine the various functions performed by magic in two important Renaissance epics, Boiardo’s __Orlando innamorato__ and Ariosto’s __Orlando furioso__. It breaks new ground by exploring the association of magic with the chaotic and irrational, as contrasted more or less strongly with order and reason. It also examines the poets’ use of magic as a vehicle in the Renaissance dialectic between fortune and self-determination. This Study Uses A Thematic And Structural Approach To Examine The Various Functions Performed By Magic In Two Important Renaissance Epics, Boiardo's Orlando Innamorato And Ariosto's Orlando Furioso. It Breaks New Ground By Exploring The Association Of Magic With The Chaotic And Irrational, As Contrasted More Or Less Strongly With Order And Reason. It Also Examines The Poets' Use Of Magic As A Vehicle In The Renaissance Dialectic Between Fortune And Self-determination.--jacket. Boiardo's Marvelous Artifacts -- Boiardo's Monsters And Mages. Supernatural Creatures. Practitioners Of Magic -- Ariosto's Marvelous Artifacts. Magic Artifacts. Prophetic Works Of Art -- Ariosto's Supernatural Creatures. Animals And Monsters. Villains -- Ariosto's Practitioners Of Magic. Fays. Sorcerers. Miracle-workers. Julia M. Kisacky. Originally Presented As The Author's Thesis (ph. D.)--rutgers University, 1995. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [155]-182) And Index.