L'indeterminatezza nel racconto della Vita nova

The article focuses on Dante’s characterisation of the city where the Vita nova is set as an almost unidentified location rather than as a place with a recognisable identity. In fact, Dante never provides any specific references to places or toponyms, nor does he name the persons appearing in the book, with the obvious exceptions of Beatrice and Giovanna. From this perspective, the article reexamines the controversial issue of the identification of the street where Dante sees the pilgrims on their way to Rome mentioned at the end of the book. In contrast with the realistic and individualising perspective that will prevail in the Commedia, this location is intentionally vague to stress the universal value of the story told in the Vita nova.