Bestie dietro l’armatura. Le similitudini animali nel «Furioso» e l’antropologia negativa di Ariosto

Abstract

The analysis of similitudes in Orlando Furioso has become more and more interesting in recent years. In fact, within the octaves of the poem, they follow one another numerous times. Among these, similitudes of a zoomorphic kind have a relevant place, revealing a special attention to the animal kingdom that seems to affect Ariosto’s other works as well. The essay intends to read this element in the whole Ariosto’s production, eliciting the idea that these similitudes and animal figurations are functional to a competitive vision of human relationships, where oppression and arrogance prevail; this also contributes to recent critical reconfiguration of the Ferrarese poet, bitterly disenchanted with humanity and his prevaricating nature.