Abstract
Translated here for the first time, these three fairy tales from the friar Lorenzo Selva’s prose romance Della metamorfosi (The Metamorphosis) deepen our understanding of the early development of the Italian tale tradition in the years between the publication of Straparola’s (1550 and 1553) and Basile’s tales (1634–1636). Unlike Straparola and Basile, Selva presents his tales as religious allegories. The magic and marvels that are typical of the fairy tale form part of his discussion of Church doctrine regarding both miraculous and demonic transformations. In this way, Selva’s literary fairy tales participate in a growing debate on magic and witchcraft.
Recommended Citation
Magnanini, Suzanne. "Between Straparola and Basile: Three Fairy Tales from Lorenzo Selva’s Della metamorfosi (1582)." Marvels & Tales 25.2 (2011). Web. <https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/marvels/vol25/iss2/10>.
