Notes on the lexicon of Tasso's epic between “Liberata” and “Conquistata”

An analysis essay in the light of the 16th century polemics against Tasso

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze, in light of the observations made in the polemical discourses following the publication of Liberata, the lexicon of Conquistata. The goal is to determine whether the linguistic revision carried out by the author reflects the influence actually exerted by the Accademia della Crusca and Salviati on Tasso’s writing, or it serves other purposes developed during the revision of the first poem. For this reason, each form will be examined in its textual context, both synchronically and diachronically, in order to identify the characteristics and reasons behind lexical confirmations or additions.