This essay explores, from a philological perspective, Italian literature within the philogynous tradition, while also proposing an innovative project for university-level teaching of Italian Linguistics. Its primary aim is to develop educational tools and practices that foster awareness of gender equality and promote models of masculinity that differ from hegemonic norms. The project aligns with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with particular emphasis on social equity and inclusion. Patriarchal realism lies at the centre of this reflection, employed as a critical lens to examine both the historically precarious conditions experienced by women and the marginalization of male figures who, in the 16th to 18th centuries, publicly supported women’s rights. The analysis highlights the mechanisms of exclusion and silencing that affected these dissenting voices and proposes a reinterpretation of the literary canon in the light of these omissions.

Questo contributo è frutto di un progetto di innovazione docente (exp. 208055), realizzato nell’ambito del Programma per la Promozione e il Sostegno all’Innovazione nella Didattica dell’Università di Oviedo per l’anno accademico 2023/2024. Oltre all’autore del saggio (responsabile del progetto e del corso Storia della Lingua Italiana), in esso hanno anche partecipato le prof.sse Mercedes González de Sande (Traduzione Italiano-Spagnolo) e Giuliana A. Giacobbe (Lingua Italiana VI).