L’umana immanità: fonti e fortuna del fero Argante
Human brutality: Sources and legacy of the fierce Argante

Summary/Abstract: Palumbo’s essay aims to investigate the sources of Argante, Circassian warrior who is the principal defender of Jerusalem in Tasso’s poem. The imitative process can be considered as a significant example of literary mellification. The Furies, the Giants (especially Nimrod), Achilles, Turnus, Mezentius, Numan, Capaneus, Pharsalia’s Pompeius relives in this champion of immanity, who shows contempt for God and presents some of the features of Pluto/Satan. Palumbo analyzes this character and his relationships with Clorinda and Tancredi with particular attention on Tasso’s choices of words and metaphoric imagery. The last section quickly considers Argante’s story and fortune, with brief reference to his presence in melodrama (Händel’s Rinaldo) and to his possible influence on Leopardi’s patterns.

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