De sermone.

Giovanni Pontano. De sermone.

Ed. Alessandra Mantovani. Piccola biblioteca letteraria 11. Rome: Carocci editore, 2002. 494 pp. [euro] 26.50. ISBN: 88-430-2410-8.

Alessandra Mantovani, editor and translator of the De Sermone by the humanist, poet, and public figure, Giovanni Giovano Pontano (1429-1502), provides readers with an admirably translated Italian text of this Renaissance classic with facing pages in Latin. The translation is derived from the critical Latin edition of the De Sermone by S. Lupi and A. Risicato in 1954 at Lugano (Thesauri Mundi).

The first three books of the treatise are devoted to the theoretical definition of the witty disposition. The remaining three books are dedicated to concrete examples, some drawn from classical antiquity and others, equally pertinent anecdotes and examples taken from his contemporaries in the golden age of the Naples of Alfonso the Magnanimus. Personal memories, erudite and novel references alternate liberally in the text exhibiting a humanism not yet fully appreciated among Renaissance scholars.

In De Sermone Giovanni Pontano confronts the problem of the human word not in its oratorical, poetic, or historiographic senses but in its capacity to serve as an instrument of what Cicero called a relaxatio animi, a cheering up or "lightening up" of the soul. This lightening up of the soul constitutes a refreshment or restoration of the commitment of the person of public affairs, a sharpening and softening of a public servant's zeal, a courtly diversion. It is this humanity, meant as a most eminent civil virtue, that becomes construed by Pontano as wittiness (facetudo), in its possibility of joyful pleasantness, and becomes for him the distinctive trait of a man faithful to the value of culture. Joined to Aristotelian moderation, as the capacity to amuse without ever offending, the humanistic principle of this urbane distinctiveness converts itself into the principle of equality. Left out of ironic play are the socially excluded as much as the poor and the powerful, thereby removing from the mouth of the witty humanist the risk of arrogance on the one hand and rash impudence on the other.

Dedicated to his friend, Dominican Friar Giacomo da Mantova, and writing at the age of seventy-three, Pontano opens his treatise by affirming that reason and language are both gifts to humankind provided by nature itself. As such virtue and vice apply as much to discourse as they do to the exercise of reason, which by nature guides and directs all properly human activities. The variety and diversity of human discourse are such that reason dictates that all human speech be governed by moderation and truth. Moderation in speech, coupled with veracity, makes possible the urbane individual who is affable, likeable, light-hearted, and witty. This type of individual is opposed to the flatterer, the liar, the taker, the unrestrained, the inane, and the verbose. Each of these comes up for extended discussion by Pontano. Also receiving their share of humanistic criticism are the polemicists, the loquacious, the frivolous, and the taciturn. The fundamental flaw in each of the above is a lack of moderation and wittiness. But above all, they all lack humanity. The humane individual does nothing with arrogance or pride, assumes the other's point of view, consoles those in affliction, and assists those in difficulty. In short, the humanist's sole mode of speech is always "sweet and tranquil." Such discourse is injurious to none and always open, truthful, and frank. Summarily expressed, wittiness bespeaks a person who understands both nature and humor and who recognizes the importance of festive play in human affairs.

Mantovani provides a substantial and excellent introduction to the work and its author, highlighting the strengths of the work and its place among Renaissance classics. A detailed biographical profile of Pontano is also included. She also provides copious notes throughout the text, frequently providing alternate renderings of key words and phrases that help the reader develop a keener sense of the author's intentions. The book is highly recommended.

DOMINICK A. IORIO

Rider University