Students of the Degree Course in Foreign Languages and Literatures at Pisa University recently delved into the origins and evolution of the essay as a literary form during a two-part workshop titled The Early Modern Essay. The workshop, part of the English Literature 2 course taught by Professors Paolo Bugliani and Roberta Ferrari and organised in collaboration with Essays Beyond Borders, was held on October 29 and November 5, 2024.

Session 1: The Essay as a Genre

The first session, held on October 29, introduced students to the essay as a genre, focusing on its distinctive features through reflections on key insights from essayists across different epochs. The discussion highlighted the form’s beginnings, with particular attention to Montaigne’s Essais and seminal authors of the early modern period.

Session 2: Bacon and Cowley

On November 5, the second session spotlighted two prominent figures of the early modern essay: Francis Bacon and Abraham Cowley. Students read and analyzed passages from Bacon’s “On Travel” and Cowley’s “On Myself,” exploring their unique styles and perspectives. The session emphasized the essayist’s voice, offering contrasting examples of how the form was used during the early modern era.