The City of Poetry: Imagining the Civic Role of the Poet in Fourteenth-Century Italy

This book explores the careers of four medieval Italian poets who wrote in Latin and the Italian vernacular, examining how they viewed their authorship as a function of their engagement in a human community. It offers a new historicized approach to understanding poetic culture in fourteenth-century Italy, challenging Romantic views of poetry as a timeless and sublimely inspired form of discourse.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the vibrant tapestry of fourteenth-century Italy, the role of the poet took on a profound significance, transcending the boundaries of language and culture. The poets of this era, such as Albertino Mussato, Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarch, and Giovanni Boccaccio, emerged as beacons of artistic expression, weaving intricate tapestries of words that resonated with the hearts of their audiences. Their literary prowess extended beyond the confines of Latin, as they also mastered the art of writing in the Italian vernacular, allowing their words to reach a wider, more diverse audience.

But what truly defined a poet in this era? What counted as poetry? To unravel these mysteries, this book embarks on a captivating journey, delving into the lives and works of these four remarkable poets. Through meticulous readings of defenses of poetry, speeches, and letters on public laurel-crowning ceremonies, as well as other theoretical and poetic texts, the book unveils the profound belief of these poets in their authorship of poetic works. They saw their role as a conduit for the divine, using their words to convey profound messages and inspire the souls of their readers.

Each poet, in their unique way, embodied the concept of the poet as a public intellectual—a poet-theologian—who possessed the authority to intervene in public affairs through the power of their words. They wielded their poetic prowess as a tool for social commentary, addressing pressing issues and advocating for change. Their works, rich in metaphor, imagery, and symbolism, resonated with people from all walks of life, transcending linguistic and cultural barriers.

The City of Poetry, a groundbreaking work of scholarship, offers a fresh and historicized perspective on poetic culture in fourteenth-century Italy. It challenges long-standing Romantic notions of poetry as a timeless and sublimely inspired form of discourse, revealing the intricate interplay between poetic creativity and the social, political, and cultural context of the time. Through its meticulous analysis, this book sheds light on the complex relationship between poets, their audiences, and the broader world, illuminating the profound impact that poetry had on shaping the intellectual and artistic landscape of the era.

In conclusion, the poets of fourteenth-century Italy were not just mere wordsmiths; they were visionaries, using their art to inspire, challenge, and transform the world around them. Their legacy continues to resonate through the ages, reminding us of the power of poetry to bridge gaps, ignite change, and leave an indelible mark on the human spirit.

ISBN-13: 9781108813174