Fantasy and loyalty in reflections of the Skanderbeg era and his figure in Arbëresh literature

Abstract

This paper examines from a new perspective the problem of reflecting Scanderbeg era and figure in Arbëresh literature, something which has been investigated by various scholars. Under investigation here is the relationship between the reflection of historical reality in terms of mimesis (the most faithful reproduction of the reality) and artistic transformation, based on writer’s ideals. Historical hays are in themselves a composition between literature and history. Close faithfulness/loyalty to history is not indispensable, but the risk of excessive idealism or the myth of historical figures, which in today’s terms is perceived by the most professional reader, must be avoided. This study mentions great figures such as Girolamo De Rada, Gabriele Dara, Giuseppe Schirò, less Giuseppe Serembe, who accepted the challenge of drawing the figure of the National Hero and drew it in a very original way. Writers not so much known as well have been taken into consideration, such as Cosmo Serembe, Bernardo Bilotta, Angelo Nociti, who approached the historical reality in their epic poems and dealt with special aspects of Scanderbeg era and figure, which were set aside by their outstanding compatriots. The paper analyses poems, lyrics and historical novels of the above-mentioned authors, as well as pseudo-historical works, such as those of the incredibly prolific writer Santori. Skanderbeg’s figure has been portrayed as a leader, a statesman who defended and united Albanians, as well as a Christian knight and protector of European culture. Arbëresh literary works show the Skanderbeg’s image as a myth, consistent with the patriotic message and romantic spirit, but they also reflect a goal to discover in him the objective essence as a historical figure and as a human being.