San Francesco D'Assisi e Santa Caterina Da Siena. La Loro Influenza sulla Letteratura, la Cultura, la Religione e l'Arte Italiana dei Primordi

This work incorporates selected aspects of Italian Studies—namely culture, religion, art, and literature—during the last three centuries prior to the end of the Middle Ages (1110-1492). More precisely, this project examines the works and thoughts of two Italian saints: Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) and Saint Catherine of Siena (13471380). Though abundantly studied and researched, my thesis explores the common ideological denominator as seen through their works, examining their impact on Italian society and culture. Saint Catherine is considered the female patron saint of Italy; she had great political influence shaping Italian history and religion, as her efforts caused Pope Gregory XI (1370-1378) to leave Avignon permanently in 1376, thus restoring the papacy to Rome. Catherine wrote over four hundred letters and a treatise (the Dialogue), along with her other prayers and correspondence. Saint Francis is one of the predecessors of Italian Literature as well all subsequent poetry; Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio were heavily influenced by his religious and secular ideologies. His works predate the Sicilian school of Italian poetry, the popular and didactic movement of Brunetto Latini (1220-1294) and the Dolce Stil Nuovo of Guido Guinizzelli (1230/401276). Saint Francis’ Cantico di Frate Sole, also known as the Laudes Creaturum, the Adminitiones, and Epistolae, written in Latin, are still considered today to be the origin of Italian Literature. The first and second chapters of my thesis serve as an introduction and preamble to both saints; they also contain their biographical information as well as compare some of their common characteristics. Both patron saints of Italy, for example, lived a contemplative and ascetic life, each receiving the stigmata. Both were sincere advocates of gaining conversion and ending turmoil with peace offerings, mainly through humility, poverty, charity, and kindness. Saint Francis and Saint Catherine, respectively, dedicated their lives to aiding the poor and sick; yet, when faced with the incredible odds of the time, including obstacles such as social class and gender, they were able to obtain great power and political influence before eventually returning to life in seclusion. Both came from moderately wealthy families, both chose to live a religious life without the support of their families, and both chose to serve God, helping others while living in extreme poverty and self-mortification. The third and fourth chapters examine in detail the life of Saint Catherine, exploring the importance of her life, specifically from the perspective of a medieval woman. The fifth chapter focuses on Saint Francis, analyzing how Italian literature changed considerably since his original contributions. I also analyze how the Renaissance—though with deep roots in Medieval religious and civic approaches, hence tied to Saint Francis’ philosophy—determined a new thought perspective regarding man’s place in the universe. Furthermore, I introduce the contributions of some artists who chose these saints as their main subject of study. Additionally, I review the influence of San Francis and Saint Catherine on others in history. Finally, I explore their place today within the Catholic Church as well as within Italian Culture and Society.