Trame e funzioni lucanee nel canto I della Gerusalemme liberata

This article examines the latent but pervasive presence of Book I of Lucan’s Bellum Civile in canto I of Tasso’s Gerusalemme Liberata. Despite Tasso’s theoretical disapproval of Lucan’s excessive adherence to the verità de’ paritcolari, he nonetheless employs the Latin poet’s narrative strategies precisely in those sections of the Liberata where he feels the strongest need to adhere to historical accuracy. Lucan’s account thus offers Tasso a highly effective structural model for shaping the opening phases of the conflict, from the assembly of the generals in the Crusader camp to the arrival of news of war in Jerusalem.