Seminar 2 : ‘Veglia’, ‘In dormiveglia’, ‘Pellegrinaggio’

 ‘Veglia’  

• Does ‘Veglia’ provide a positive or negative view of war? (divide into two groups)
• What effect is created by the phrase ‘intera nottata’?
• Discuss the resonances of lines 5-7.
• Comment on the type of language used in the poem.
• How is the poem structured? How does each line begin?

 ‘In dormiveglia’ 

• Create a ‘mind map’ centered on the words ‘lace’ and ‘war’.
• The poem hinges on a series of juxtapositions. Identify and discuss these.
• Discuss the extended metaphor around which the poem is structured.
• The poem starts with the phrase ‘assisto la notte violentata’. In what other circumstances would you use the verb ‘assistere’ and what are the implications here?
• Examine the use of consonance (repetition of consonant sound) in lines 3, 5 and 6.

 ‘Pellegrinaggio’ 

• What image of the soldier is presented?
• Examine the function of repetition, alliteration and consonance.
• How does the poet address himself and what is the significance of this?
• Discuss the religious connotations of the poem.
• What view of war is presented here?