The Complete Canzoniere

Petrarch (1304–1374), translated by Kline, A.S., (contact-email)

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Petrarch’s Canzoniere is a pivotal compilation of poems, primarily in sonnet form, that exalt an idealised love for Laura, perhaps a literary invention rather than a real person. Written in Italian, the collection extends the scope of the vernacular to express complex emotions. Petrarch not only explores romantic love but also imbues the work with his personal ethos, encompassing humanist, secular, and religious principles. His focus on self-reflection and personal spiritual journey marks a shift in European literature, although he also acknowledges Roman literary heritage. Created over four decades, from just after 1327 to around 1368, the Canzoniere significantly influenced European Renaissance poetry, particularly in France, Spain, and England. It played a role in the continued development of sonnet sequences up to the 17th century and their resurgence in 19th-century England.

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Kline, A.S.,

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