He Do the Orlando Furioso in Different Voices: Ariosto’s Ventriloquizing Presence in English Translation

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

10-19-2016

Description

One of Ariosto’s signature narrative features in the Orlando furioso is the use of personae—such as the Inkeeper in Canto 28—to tell stories. These narrator stand-ins allow for Ariosto to displace unsavory perspectives via narrative ventriloquism, where the teller is condemned while the scandalous tale is still allowed to be told. This paper explores how English translators have adapted Ariosto’s use of narrative personae in their translations of the Orlando furioso, exploiting these voices in their translations for sociopolitical ends. In some instances, Ariosto himself becomes a ventriloquized presence in the translations, a source author persona who voices the translator’s projected misogynistic or salacious content.

Location

New York, NY

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