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Seminar Week 3

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?