Teaching the Italian Renaissance Romance Epic: Options for Teaching Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso"

Ludovico Ariosto's "Orlando Furioso" is a monumental work of the Italian Renaissance romance epic. First published in 1516, the poem tells the story of the knight Orlando, who goes mad after being rejected by his beloved Angelica. The poem is full of adventure, love, magic, and humor, and it has been praised for its vivid characters, its beautiful language, and its complex structure.

"Orlando Furioso" is a challenging work to teach, but it can also be a rewarding one. The poem offers a unique window into the culture and values of the Italian Renaissance, and it can help students to develop their critical thinking skills, their appreciation for literature, and their love of language.

There are a number of different ways to teach "Orlando Furioso" in the classroom. One approach is to focus on the poem's historical and cultural context. This can help students to understand the poem's characters, its setting, and its themes. Another approach is to focus on the poem's literary qualities. This can help students to appreciate the poem's language, its structure, and its imagery.

Teaching the Italian Renaissance Romance Epic (Options for Teaching Book 44)

by Jo Ann Cavallo

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3852 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	452 pages

FREE

No matter which approach you choose, it is important to make sure that your students are engaged with the poem. This can be done by providing them with a variety of activities, such as reading aloud, discussing the poem in class, and writing essays about the poem.

There are a number of lesson plans available online that can help you to teach "Orlando Furioso" in the classroom. Here are a few examples:

• Lesson Plan from the University of California, Berkeley
• Lesson Plan from the University of Virginia
• Lesson Plan from the National Endowment for the Humanities

These lesson plans provide a variety of activities and resources that can help you to engage your students with "Orlando Furioso."

In addition to lesson plans, there are a number of activities that you can use to help your students learn about "Orlando Furioso." Here are a few ideas:

• Read aloud from the poem. This is a great way to introduce your students to the poem's language and its characters.
• Discuss the poem in class. This can help students to understand the poem's themes and its cultural context.
• Have students write essays about the poem. This can help students to develop their critical thinking skills and their appreciation for literature.
• Have students create their own illustrations of the poem. This can help students to visualize the poem's characters and its setting.
• Have students perform scenes from the poem. This can help students to bring the poem to life and to understand its dramatic qualities.

These are just a few ideas for activities that you can use to teach "Orlando Furioso" in the classroom.

There are a number of resources available online that can help you to teach "Orlando Furioso" in the classroom. Here are a few examples:

• The Orlando Furioso Project
• The Ariosto Society
• The National Endowment for the Humanities

These resources provide a variety of materials, such as translations of the poem, critical essays, and lesson plans.

Teaching "Orlando Furioso" can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By using a variety of approaches, activities, and resources, you can help your students to engage with this complex and fascinating work of literature.

Teaching the Italian Renaissance Romance Epic (Options for Teaching Book 44)

by Jo Ann Cavallo

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3852 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	452 pages

FREE