Selected Poems

Joachim du Bellay and Pierre de Ronsard were two of the major sixteenth-century French poets and leaders of La Pléiade. They studied Greek and Roman models and used classical mythology to produce a body of verse that reflects the vigor and variety of European Renaissance culture. Anthony Mortimer's verse translations cover this many-faceted achievement, providing the French text on facing pages and an appendix with extracts from seminal manifestos.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 10 August 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Two of the most prominent French poets of the 16th century, Joachim du Bellay and Pierre de Ronsard, were members of the renowned group known as La Pléiade. Their goal was to establish a national vernacular literature that drew inspiration from Greek and Roman models and incorporated classical mythology to capture the vitality and diversity of European Renaissance culture. Du Bellay made groundbreaking contributions with his gritty realism and poignant expressions of resentment in works such as the Regrets. At the same time, Ronsard expanded the Petrarchan tradition of love poetry with his series of sonnet sequences, including Cassandre, Marie, Astrée, and Hélène. While Ronsard is widely celebrated as France's greatest love poet, his remarkable talent extended to various forms and genres, including elegies, odes, philosophical hymns, and religious controversies.

Anthony Mortimer's verse translations of these works provide an English perspective that remains faithful to the original text while still standing as English poetry in its own right. The French text is presented on facing pages, accompanied by a helpful appendix that includes excerpts from seminal manifestos by the two poets. A critical introduction, a glossary of names and places, and extensive notes further enrich the reader's understanding by placing the poems within their social and cultural context.

Oxford World's Classics has been a trusted source of literature for over a century, committed to scholarship and providing accurate texts at affordable prices. The series encompasses a wide range of literature from different regions and eras, making it an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192847997