Selections from the Canzoniere and Other Works [Paperback]

Francesco Petrarch (Author), Mark Musa (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 5, 1999 | Series: Oxford World's Classics

This entirely new translation includes Petrarch's short autobiographical prose works, The Letter to Posterity and The Ascent of Mount Ventoux, and a selection of twenty-seven poems from the Canzoniere, Petrarch's best-known work in Italian.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent anthology of the major lyrics and several key Latin texts that will find a welcome place in courses on Italian Renaissance literature, history, and culture."--Peter Bondanella, Indiana University, Bloomington

Language Notes

Text: English, Italian (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 100 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; Oxford World's Classics edition (August 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192839519
• ISBN-13: 978-0192839510
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,280,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "One of the Greatest Poets of All Time", September 24, 2002

By 

Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Selections from the Canzoniere and Other Works (Paperback)

The Italian philosopher, Fransesco Petracha (1304-74), who was responsible for the recovery of many Latin manuscripts, who was one of the primary causes of the revival of Latin letters, and who, like Dante, wrote much of his poetry in the vulgar tongue, is one of the greatest poets of all time and one of the most influential men in the history of the western world. Of the poems he wrote in his native Italian, 366 have survived under the name "Canzoniere" (short-song). Roughly 45 of the 366 poems are provided here in an excellent, faithful translation which steers clear of that cancerous and faulty element in poetry--the rhyme. They were carefully selected for their content, so the discouraging number of 45 poems seems bigger when the editor's subtle discretion is taken into account. The basis of these poems--like Dante's Beatrice and Catallus' Lesbia--rests mostly upon Petrach's undying love for Laura, but at times his verse resounds with political and religious themes, and with praises of Rome's past and the Italy of his own time. Every poem will be an enjoyable read; they are always profound and inspiring in their glorification of feminine beauty; and the vivid and picturesque allusions to nature are always soothing and edifying. One may easily see, after reading Petrach's "Canzoniere," Horace handing Petrach his pen and Virgil his laurel crown, for they were as real to him as the lines of his poetry. They guided him through the fields of Italy and lent him breaths of inspiration along the way. Petrarch was anything but a mean and vulgar poet; he deservedly stands out as great amongst the greatest. Also included are some short prose works (letters) which throw some significant light upon the life and character of Petrach. This conveniently sized collection of the poet laureate's works is thoroughly recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Start Of A New Kind Of Life., December 20, 2009

By 

Jan Dierckx (Belgium, Turnhout) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Selections from the Canzoniere and Other Works (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

The influence by Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374) on the poetry of Italy and the rest of western Europe was remarkable. But as important as his italian poems were his letters and essays. These writings discussed a way of life and thinking that formed the basis of Humanism (where - in short - the emphasis is on human accomplishments and not on God).

As a writer of letters (mainly his correspondence with friends and colleagues) he wrote in the style and used the accomplished tradition of classic writers such as Cicero and Seneca. But in-spite the influence of this tradition Petrarca's letters are very personal and authentic.
In a vivid way these letters describe the author and his surroundings. He writes about the many travels he made and his interest in Antiquity.

One of the most important documents by his hand is his description of him walking up the Mount Ventoux and the description of the thoughts he had during that long walk are one of the most important building stones of the Italian Renaissance, the start of a new kind of life.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtful selection in translation, June 8, 2009

By 

Nick (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Selections from the Canzoniere and Other Works (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

Petrarch just isn't my favorite. That said, he is worth reading, savoring; his verse and prose are worth reflecting upon. This is a great writer and mind of an important time period in Western European history and culture that is often overlooked. Petrarch is a product of Feudal Italy and the Western Schism (the Avignon Popes) and his writings give a new dimension to the time period, particularly for anyone who already enjoys the history, music, painting, tapestries, sculptures and architecture of this era.

Italy and France are on the very verge of that explosion of cultural growth and development we now call the Renaissance. This is that very pregnant spot on the time line of Western European history when everything is about to change (within a hundred years or so)and Petrarch is an important voice and a significant person of the time.

The end notes and introduction are both very well done -- as one would expect of anything associated with Oxford's World Classics series. Both the introduction and the notes add significant contextual value to the author's works. This little selection of his works in translation is a volume very worthy of any Anglophone's bookcase.