Citation

Fiorato CL. Critica Letteraria 2013; 41(159-160): 443-459.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In Giraldi Cinzio's Ecatommiti, the theme of suicide, which recurs more frequently than in other tiovellieri of Cinquecento, greatly emphasizes the inner self, the sense of shame and guilt. By favouring a self-destructive behaviour these feelings transform the traditional character of the tragedy since they promote heroes with a melancholic nature. The narrative, conceptual and the paratextual elements of the collection, which draw inspiration from recent educational and medical developments, betray a certain acceptance of the act of killing oneself, and thus approach the subject in a way that is out of keeping with the traditional damning attitude of the Church.

Language: fr