Venetian literature
Encyclopedia
Venetian literature is the corpus of literature
in Venetian
, the vernacular
language of the region roughly corresponding to Venice
, from the 12th century. Venetian literature, after an initial period of splendour in the sixteenth century with the success of artists such as Ruzante, reached its zenith in the eighteenth century, thanks to its greatest exponent, dramatist Carlo Goldoni
. Subsequently, the literary production in Venetian underwent a period of decline following the collapse of the Republic of Venice
, but survived nonetheless into the twentieth century to reach peaks with wonderful lyrical poets such as Biagio Marin
of Grado.
and the vernacular.
The first fragment entirely in Venetian, dating back to 1100, is the Ritmo bellunese
which deals with events at Belluno
in the years 1183 to 1196.
Also dating to the twelfth century are the verses of the love song Quando eu stava in le tu' cathene.
. At the end of the century, Count Carraresi commissioned Bibbia Istoriata Padovana and Liber agregà of Serapion also called "Erbario Carrarese" (held at the British Library, London), a translation from the Latin Carrara Herbarium, a treatise of medicine originally in Arabic. An important writer from this period is Francesco di Vannozzo (~1330-1389).
Cronaca de la guera tra Veniciani e Zenovesi by Daniele da Chinazzo is a chronicle of the War of Chioggia
between 1379 and 1381.
Original works of the fourteenth century include those that go together under the name of Franco-Venetian literature characterized by a unique mix of vulgar Veneto with medieval French. Among the best known works are the anonymously authored lEntrée d'Espagne and its continuation, La prise de Pampelune by Niccolò da Verona
.
" attributed to Galileo
(1564–1642).
The language enjoyed substantial prestige in the days of the Venetian Republic, when it attained the status of a lingua franca
in the Mediterranean. Notable Venetian-language authors are the playwrights Ruzante
(1502–1542) and Carlo Goldoni
(1707–1793). Both Ruzante and Goldoni, following the old Italian theater tradition (Commedia dell'Arte
), used Venetian in their comedies as the speech of the common folk. They are ranked among the foremost Italian theatrical authors of all time, and Goldoni's plays are still performed today. Other notable works in Venetian are the translations of the Iliad
by Casanova
(1725–1798) and Francesco Boaretti, and the poems of Biagio Marin
(1891–1985).
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
in Venetian
Venetian language
Venetian or Venetan is a Romance language spoken as a native language by over two million people, mostly in the Veneto region of Italy, where of five million inhabitants almost all can understand it. It is sometimes spoken and often well understood outside Veneto, in Trentino, Friuli, Venezia...
, the vernacular
Vernacular
A vernacular is the native language or native dialect of a specific population, as opposed to a language of wider communication that is not native to the population, such as a national language or lingua franca.- Etymology :The term is not a recent one...
language of the region roughly corresponding to Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, from the 12th century. Venetian literature, after an initial period of splendour in the sixteenth century with the success of artists such as Ruzante, reached its zenith in the eighteenth century, thanks to its greatest exponent, dramatist Carlo Goldoni
Carlo Goldoni
Carlo Osvaldo Goldoni was an Italian playwright and librettist from the Republic of Venice. His works include some of Italy's most famous and best-loved plays. Audiences have admired the plays of Goldoni for their ingenious mix of wit and honesty...
. Subsequently, the literary production in Venetian underwent a period of decline following the collapse of the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
, but survived nonetheless into the twentieth century to reach peaks with wonderful lyrical poets such as Biagio Marin
Biagio Marin
Biagio Marin was an Italian poet, best known from his poems in the Venetian-Friulian dialect, which had no literary tradition until then. In his writings he has never obeyed rhetoric or poetics...
of Grado.
Origin
The first evidence of the birth of vernacular Venetian (and Italian) is the Verona Riddle, dating between the end of the eighth and the early ninth century, written in a language halfway between LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and the vernacular.
The first fragment entirely in Venetian, dating back to 1100, is the Ritmo bellunese
Ritmo bellunese
The Ritmo bellunese or Cantilena bellunese is a brief vernacular Italian passage in an anonymous fragment of a medieval Latin chronicle of events in the history of Belluno between 1183 and 1196. From circa 1198, it is the earliest securely datable text in an Italian vernacluar...
which deals with events at Belluno
Belluno
Belluno , is a town and province in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Located about 100 kilometres north of Venice, Belluno is the capital of the province of Belluno and the most important city in the Eastern Dolomiti's region. With its roughly 37,000 inhabitants, it the largest populated area...
in the years 1183 to 1196.
Also dating to the twelfth century are the verses of the love song Quando eu stava in le tu' cathene.
Thirteenth century
In the thirteenth century we witness in the Veneto an explosion of compositions designed to meet the literary tastes of the emerging urban classes. Especially remarkable is the production of the Veronese School, with Giacomino da Verona, author of the poem in two parts, De Gerusalem Celesti ("On the Heavenly Jerusalem") and De Babilonia Civitate Infernali ("On Babylon, the Infernal City"). Published anonymously from this era are Lamento della Sposa Padovana or Bona çilosiaFourteenth century
Throughout the fourteenth century, the centre of literary production Venetian continued to be PaduaPadua
Padua is a city and comune in the Veneto, northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Padua and the economic and communications hub of the area. Padua's population is 212,500 . The city is sometimes included, with Venice and Treviso, in the Padua-Treviso-Venice Metropolitan Area, having...
. At the end of the century, Count Carraresi commissioned Bibbia Istoriata Padovana and Liber agregà of Serapion also called "Erbario Carrarese" (held at the British Library, London), a translation from the Latin Carrara Herbarium, a treatise of medicine originally in Arabic. An important writer from this period is Francesco di Vannozzo (~1330-1389).
Cronaca de la guera tra Veniciani e Zenovesi by Daniele da Chinazzo is a chronicle of the War of Chioggia
War of Chioggia
The War of Chioggia was a conflict between Genoa and Venice which lasted from 1378 to 1381, from which Venice emerged triumphant. It was a part of the larger Venetian-Genoese War which began in 1350.-Background:...
between 1379 and 1381.
Original works of the fourteenth century include those that go together under the name of Franco-Venetian literature characterized by a unique mix of vulgar Veneto with medieval French. Among the best known works are the anonymously authored lEntrée d'Espagne and its continuation, La prise de Pampelune by Niccolò da Verona
Niccolo Da Verona
Niccolo Da Verona was an Italian painter of the Renaissance period. He painted a fresco of the Virgin with the Child and Saints in the Ognissanti at Mantua, is signed with this name, and dated 1461.-References:...
.
Later
Notable is a manuscript titled "Dialogue ... on the New starDialogo de Cecco da Ronchitti da Bruzene in perpuosito de la stella Nova
The Dialogo de Cecco da Ronchitti da Bruzene in perpuosito de la stella Nova is a manuscript in the Venetian language about a nova and other astronomical subjects, especially the heliocentric system.Although the book itself claims to be by a certain Cecco da Ronchitti, it has been conjectured that...
" attributed to Galileo
Galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei , was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the Scientific Revolution. His achievements include improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations and support for Copernicanism...
(1564–1642).
The language enjoyed substantial prestige in the days of the Venetian Republic, when it attained the status of a lingua franca
Lingua franca
A lingua franca is a language systematically used to make communication possible between people not sharing a mother tongue, in particular when it is a third language, distinct from both mother tongues.-Characteristics:"Lingua franca" is a functionally defined term, independent of the linguistic...
in the Mediterranean. Notable Venetian-language authors are the playwrights Ruzante
Angelo Beolco
Angelo Beolco , better known by the nickname Il Ruzzante or el Ruzante, was a Venetian actor and playwright.He is known by his rustic comedies in the Venetian language of Padua, featuring a peasant called "Ruzzante"...
(1502–1542) and Carlo Goldoni
Carlo Goldoni
Carlo Osvaldo Goldoni was an Italian playwright and librettist from the Republic of Venice. His works include some of Italy's most famous and best-loved plays. Audiences have admired the plays of Goldoni for their ingenious mix of wit and honesty...
(1707–1793). Both Ruzante and Goldoni, following the old Italian theater tradition (Commedia dell'Arte
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
), used Venetian in their comedies as the speech of the common folk. They are ranked among the foremost Italian theatrical authors of all time, and Goldoni's plays are still performed today. Other notable works in Venetian are the translations of the Iliad
Iliad
The Iliad is an epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer. Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles...
by Casanova
Giacomo Casanova
Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seingalt was an Italian adventurer and author from the Republic of Venice. His autobiography, Histoire de ma vie , is regarded as one of the most authentic sources of the customs and norms of European social life during the 18th century...
(1725–1798) and Francesco Boaretti, and the poems of Biagio Marin
Biagio Marin
Biagio Marin was an Italian poet, best known from his poems in the Venetian-Friulian dialect, which had no literary tradition until then. In his writings he has never obeyed rhetoric or poetics...
(1891–1985).