Flora, Fauna, and Marsilio Ficino in Luigi Pulci’s Morgante

Abstract

This study identifies an allegorical representation of the polemic between vernacular poet Luigi Pulci and Neoplatonic philosopher Marsilio Ficino within Pulci’s epic poem Il Morgante. Pulci’s critique of Ficino’s cultural-philosophical program may be deduced from the treatment of flora and fauna in two equine scenes from Pulci’s masterpiece. Twice in the Morgante, Rinaldo’s charger Baiardo is commandeered: first by the benevolent wizard Malagigi in canto 5, and then by the devil-theologian Astarotte in canto 25. In canto 5, Malagigi respects nature’s limits as determined by God and delineated by Pulci in canto 24. In canto 25, Astarotte’s powers and his treatment of plant and beast trump nature’s limits. Astarotte’s oration of Ficino’s philosophy from the De Christiana religione facilitates an allegorical identification of Marsilio Ficino and Pulci’s critical voice. Through this allegorical reading, tangible examples are applied to abstract conflicting cultural-philosophical programs. The Pulci-Ficino polemic is a valuable lens through which one may further comprehend the cultural complexities of Laurentian Florence, a time and place at the forefront of the Italian Renaissance.