Essays and Research Papers on Italian Literature

A 3 page essay that examines how the ribald tales of Giovanni Boccaccio in his fourteenth century book, The Decameron, reflected the changing social structure brought about by the Black Death and also foreshadowed the intellectual freedom which would develop as part of the Renaissance. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page paper on this landmark work in Renaissance literature and the art that shared its aesthetic goals. The writer details Castiglione's view of Neoplatonic beauty, and then relates it specifically to the works of two Renaissance artists, Michelangelo and Leonardo da vinci. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 2 page discussion of Canto V in Dante's 'Inferno.' Please call for more information. No bibliography.

A 6 page paper dealing with the question of why Dante chose to use himself as the protagonist, and shows how the four levels of meaning in the story all come together in the characterization of Dante. Bibliography lists five sources.

A 5 page paper looking at Cantos 31, 32, and 34. The paper analyzes The Inferno in terms of imagery, characterization, and theme, with a particular look at Dante's horror of betrayal. Bibliography lists one source.

This 15 page research paper examines the pivotal Canto III of the 'Inferno' by Italian poet Dante Alighieri. Specific passages are analyzed, with the position that this medieval allegory laid the foundation for Christian conservative groups such as the New England Puritans, and questions whether or not theirs was a forgiving God. Bibliography ...

This 6 page research paper analyzes the punishment of the tyrants and murderers in the seventh circle, where the punishment of violent sinners takes place. Specifically discussed is why the crime of murder is considered less of a sin according to Dante's ascending circles to Hell than it is perceived today. Bibliography lists ...

A 5 page speculative paper updating Dante's Divine Comedy to the twentieth century, and choosing three 20th well-known century figures to represent each of three of Dante's levels of Hell -- Incontinence, Violence, and Fraud. The paper also assigns an appropriate punishment to each, based on the sin committed. No sources except book.

8 pages in length. Broken down into sections, the writer reviews & analyzes each of The Inferno's first 11 cantos.

8 pages in length. Broken down into sections, the writer reviews & analyzes Inferno, Cantos 11-24.

This 8 page paper discusses how Dante's The Inferno depicts real life specific to the recovering alcoholic. It compares the process of admitting to alcoholism, deciding to journey outside the boundaries of the familiar, confronting the beasts of a previous lifestyle, choosing a guide, giving their life and will over to a power greater then ...

A 4 page paper about these two masterpieces. The writer explores the issue of love, and what that means to each of these 2 writers. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

In 5 pages the author discusses the similarities and differences between Dante and King Lear. ''King Lear' is a tragedy that was written by William Shakespeare. 'Inferno' is part one of a three-part story, which was written by Dante Alighieri. Although both stories are tragedies and contain ...

A 3 page essay discussing Marie de France and her lover's passion and her assertion that God must be on their side. The writer illustrates how this attitude expresses the conflict between love and 'Christian values' in the story. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page research paper which analyses the political philosophy of 15th-century writer Niccolo Machiavelli. The writer takes the stance that Machiavelli's techniques which justify the use of evil in politics are wrong. Although the use of evil make help a leader obtain and retain power for awhile, the writer argues that ultimately ...

This 5 page paper discusses The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli. Examples of Machiavellian monarchies are noted as the writer interprets the political meaning of Machiavelli's writing. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

7 pages in length. An analytical examination of this classic work in political theory. The writer pays particular attention to Chapter XXI in which Machiavelli discusses how The Prince will gain great esteem if he engages successfully in important enterprises. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 5 page essay exploring the virtues and vices of Machiavelli's story. The writer argues that the critics of his work that proclaim his evil are not looking at the big picture, but only its outcome. Arguments: Machiavelli's purpose in writing the document and where he places emphasis in the document and how ...

A 9 page paper that provides an overview of the basic leadership concepts supported in Machiavelli's The Prince, and then suggest comparisons with leaders of recent times. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 5 page paper that considers the elements of rulership presented in Machiavelli's The Prince and demonstrates the contradictions between what a ruler should present and what a ruler should embrace. No additional sources cited.

A 5 page paper discussing bot the similarities and differences between Plato and Machiavelli's views of political leadership. Bibliography lists 'The Prince' by Machiavelli and 'The Republic' by Plato as sources.

A 6 page essay that uses looks to Machiavelli's book for the a further understanding of the events of the Revolution.

7 pages in length. A comparative analysis between Machievelli's 'The Prince' and Shakespeare's 'Othello' in which the writer examines each work in light of their respective eras and sociocultural issues. It is concluded that in 'Othello,' the author seems to cry out for a different kind of sovereignty than in 'The Prince.' Bibliography lists 3 ...

A 5 page paper comparing Machiavelli's 'Prince' and Shakespeare's 'Prince Hamlet.' The writer feels that both works represented important changing points in world culture. No additional sources cited.

A 20 page paper looking at the way sixteenth-century Florentine politician Niccolo Machiavelli influenced Shakespeare's characterization of the inept ruler in his three Henry VI plays (parts I, II, and III.) The paper shows areas in which Shakespeare's idea of 'statesmanship' resembled Machiavelli's, as well as where it differed. Bibliography lists six sources.