In the laboratory of a lesson: Carducci and the journey of Ulysses

Abstract

The paper reports the result of an initial critical and philological study on Giosue Carducci's notes for his lecture about Inf. XXVI (ACC, cart. XXVII, fasc. 19). After illustrating the material characteristics of the autograph manuscripts, the essay delves, by specimen, into the peculiarities of the exegetical approach adopted by Carducci to guide students in understanding the most interesting or controversial passages of Dante's text. The image of an erudite lesson emerges, prepared with great dedication and carefully studying the sources. The work ends with a description of Carducci's exegetical method and the sources he used to analyse the centuries-old issue of Ulysses' oceanic voyage.