Sica, Beatrice; (2025) Dante e le misure anti-Covid: il Sommo Poeta tra maschere e vaccini. In: Lazzarin, Stefano, (ed.) Covid Dante. La Commedia, il contagio, la guerra e altri traumi ipercontemporanei. (pp. 153-169). Vecchiarelli: Manziana, Italy.

Text Sica.pdf - Published Version Access restricted to UCL open access staff until 1 August 2026. Download (3MB)

Abstract

This essay explores the multifaceted reappropriation of Dante Alighieri’s image and words during the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on how the poet was invoked in debates surrounding public health measures such as mask mandates and vaccination campaigns. Through a critical analysis of visual and textual sources—including street art by M-Fulcro, a cartoon by Mauro Biani, medical editorials, and a political commentary from India—the study examines the ideological and rhetorical uses of Dante across pro- and anti-vax positions. It highlights the risks of superficial or incoherent metaphorical constructions and contrasts them with more effective allegorical readings, particularly those that engage with Dante’s symbolic framework in a nuanced and contextually grounded manner. Ultimately, the essay argues that invoking Dante does not automatically confer moral authority or communicative power; rather, meaningful reuse requires a deep understanding of the poet’s legacy and the mechanisms of literary representation.

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