The World beyond Europe in the Romance Epics of Boiardo and Ariosto by Jo Ann Cavallo
Andrea Rizzi
Reviewed by: The World beyond Europe in the Romance Epics of Boiardo and Ariosto by Jo Ann Cavallo Andrea Rizzi Cavallo, Ann, (Toronto Italian Studies), Toronto, University Toronto Press, 2013; cloth; pp. 392; R.R.P. US$85.00; ISBN 9781442646834. In this compelling book, shows that two most influential chivalric poems from late fifteenth- early sixteenth-century Italy are fact a world apart. Lodovico Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso (‘Raging Roland’) was first published 1516 as continuation narrative Matteo Maria Boiardo’s 1495 Innamorato (‘Orlando Love’). Two decades might not seem much – especially our distant vantage point yet, span time radically changed literary geopolitical perception East. describes vividly contrast between joyful, open-minded, utopic chivalry poem return to conflict Christians Saracens underpinning Carolingian epic. does so offering thoroughly researched examination sources shaped reinterpretation material. From outset, explains court Ferrara, for which were written, significant centre production consumption maps, histories, accounts pilgrimages Several on Crusades East readily accessible Ferrarese court, Historia Imperiale (c. 1473) demonstrates: Greek histories Herodotus Xenophon Giovanni da Pian del Carpine’s Mongalorum 1245), John Mandeville’s Travels, Hayton Corycus’s Flower Histories lords Ferrara also keen collectors oriental carpets, Arabian horses, treatises astrology. Chivalric cantari offered, therefore, rich platform connections frictions West played out. Cavallo’s book is tribute ‘global interpenetration under banner universal code’ (p. 260) his insatiable curiosity about African, Asian, Middle Eastern landscapes traditions. did share same positive worldview. His an outright rejection cosmopolitanism. As final section her work, wars invasions plagued at turn sixteenth century left mark Ariosto. Admittedly, they had made abandon own beginning Book III. universality drove hero Rinaldo Po valley, where dangers then greater than any remote African or Asian city. Understandably, [End Page 227] indulges ‘multiculturalism’ leaves less room more religious moralising view ‘other’. This volume skilfully takes reader through key non-European characters their journeys across Asia, Africa, East, valley: sheds light syncretic use narrate adventures king Agramante, cousin Rugiero, Rodamonte. impermeable current affairs. argues, threat posed Agramante’s invasion mirrored Ottomans’ forays into Southern 1480s. These shadows became menacing poem, last sections demonstrate: adventurous, chivalrous, open minded Frankish knight described staunch narrow-minded defender Christianity against book’s insightful case-study analysis treatment Saracen Brandimarte poems: text unfaltering champion knighthood, whereas he rewritten minor character, condemned non-Christian identity. work follows footsteps Pio Rajna Neil Harris ground-breaking research richness vitality poem. Given imbalance...
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