Includes bibliographical references (pages 217-220) and index.
Contents:
Preface: a storied island -- Introduction: The genius of Palermo -- The cultural context of Sicilian epic -- The marionette theater -- Knights and masques -- Saints and bandits -- On christian soil -- The Carolingian cycle -- The song of Roland in Sicily -- Social order and the fairy tale -- City legend and secret societies -- Conclusion: The last adventure -- Appendix: The death of the Paladins.
Summary:
"This is an analysis of the folkloric genres that comprise the repertoire of the marionette theater in Sicily. Here, epic, farce, saints' lives, bandits' lives, fairytales, Christian myth, and city legend offer the vehicles by which puppeteers comment upon, inform about, the relationships among the classes of Sicilian society: the aristocracy, the people, the clerics and the Mafia"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.