Biddizza e Sapiri. Genere e filosofia nella poesia di Tommaso Campailla e Girolama Lorefice Grimaldi

In a Sicily that was both enlightened and conservative, ready to absorb philosophical and literary influences from the continent while maintaining its own intellectual and religious traditions, Tommaso Campailla and Girolama Lorefice Grimaldi conducted a poetic exchange in Sicilian dialect, using the genre of 'canzone'. An eclectic intellectual wellknown in the Sicilian and continental scene, Campailla presents a clearly traditional concept of femininity, while Grimaldi responds modestly to the high-sounding tones of Campailla's praise, elaborating on the dichotomy between beauty and knowledge. This essay discusses the dialogue between two prominent intellectuals in 18th-century Sicily, within their cultural context.