The War Trumpet: Iberian Epic Poetry, 1543-1639

The epic poems written during the rise of Portugal and Spain on the global stage revealed the opportunities for upward social mobility and self-promotion afforded by broader access to print and the vast knowledge and material wealth accrued through maritime exploration. The War Trumpet, a collection of nine substantial essays, expands our understanding of Iberian Renaissance epic poetry by posing questions concerning early modern understandings of the natural world, the practice of poetic imitation, the discipline of cartography, and the reception of Petrarchism in the New World. It sheds light on the transformative changes that took place during the period of Iberian expansion.

Format: Hardback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 04 April 2023
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

The epic poems written during the rise of Portugal and Spain on the global stage were a testament to the incredible opportunities for upward social mobility and self-promotion that emerged with greater access to print and the vast wealth of knowledge and material resources accrued through maritime exploration. These poets were acutely aware of their ventures into uncharted territories, and this awareness shaped their literary journeys.

The War Trumpet, a comprehensive collection of nine substantial essays, delves into the realm of Iberian Renaissance epic poetry, offering a fresh perspective on renowned poems like La Araucana, Os Lusíadas, Carlo Famoso, El Bernardo, Arauco Domado, Espejo de Paciencia, and Felicissima Victoria. What sets this work apart is its exploration of seldom raised questions related to early modern understandings of the natural world, the practice of poetic imitation, the discipline of cartography, and the reception of Petrarchism in the newly established viceroyalties of the New World. By fostering a deeper appreciation for the interplay between poetry, war, and exploration, The War Trumpet sheds light on the transformative changes that occurred during the period of Iberian expansion.

The first essay, titled "The Natural World in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," examines how these poems portrayed the natural world and its significance in the lives of their characters. The authors explore how the poets used natural imagery, symbolism, and metaphor to convey their ideas and emotions, highlighting the ways in which the natural world served as a backdrop for the political and social conflicts of the time. They also examine how the poets' understanding of the natural world influenced their portrayal of human nature and the role of the individual in society.

The second essay, titled "Poetic Imitation in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the practice of poetic imitation in these poems. The authors examine how the poets used classical and contemporary sources to inspire their writing and how they adapted and transformed these sources to create their own unique poetic styles. They also explore how the practice of poetic imitation contributed to the development of a shared literary language and the establishment of a canon of epic poetry in Iberia.

The third essay, titled "The Discipline of Cartography in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the role of cartography in these poems. The authors examine how the poets used maps and other graphical representations to convey information and to enhance the visual appeal of their works. They also explore how the discipline of cartography influenced the development of a shared cultural identity and the construction of a sense of place in Iberia.

The fourth essay, titled "The Reception of Petrarchism in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores how the poets of the period incorporated elements of Petrarchism into their works. The authors examine how the poets used Petrarchan ideals of love, friendship, and humanism to express their own ideas and emotions and how they adapted these ideals to fit the context of their own lives and experiences. They also explore how the reception of Petrarchism influenced the development of a new literary genre and the establishment of a canon of epic poetry in Iberia.

The fifth essay, titled "The War Trumpet in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the use of the war trumpet in these poems. The authors examine how the war trumpet served as a symbol of power, authority
The sixth essay, titled "The Role of the Individual in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the individual's role in the epic poems of the period. The authors examine how the poets portrayed individuals as both heroes and villains, highlighting the ways in which the individual's choices and actions shaped the course of history and the fate of their societies. They also explore how the individual's quest for self-discovery and self-expression influenced the development of a new literary genre and the establishment of a canon of epic poetry in Iberia.

The seventh essay, titled "The Politics of Gender in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the role of gender in these poems. The authors examine how the poets portrayed women and men and how they challenged traditional gender roles and stereotypes. They also explore how the politics of gender influenced the development of a new literary genre and the establishment of a canon of epic poetry in Iberia.

The eighth essay, titled "The Influence of the New World on Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the impact of the New World on the development of these poems. The authors examine how the poets of the period incorporated elements of the New World into their works and how they adapted and transformed these elements to fit the context of their own lives and experiences. They also explore how the influence of the New World influenced the development of a shared cultural identity and the construction of a sense of place in Iberia.

The ninth essay, titled "The Legacy of Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the enduring influence of these poems on subsequent literary and cultural traditions. The authors examine how the poets of the period influenced later writers and artists, highlighting the ways in which their works continue to resonate with readers and audiences today. They also explore how the legacy of Iberian Renaissance epic poetry contributes to our understanding of the history and culture of early modern Europe.

In conclusion, The War Trumpet is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the epic poems of the Iberian Renaissance. By exploring seldom raised questions related to early modern understandings of the natural world, the practice of poetic imitation, the discipline of cartography, and the reception of Petrarchism in the New World, the essays in this collection shed light on the transformative changes that took place
The War Trumpet is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the epic poems of the Iberian Renaissance. By exploring seldom raised questions related to early modern understandings of the natural world, the practice of poetic imitation, the discipline of cartography, and the reception of Petrarchism in the New World, the essays in this collection shed light on the transformative changes that took place, place during the period of Iberian expansion. The first essay, titled "The Natural World in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," examines how these poems portrayed the natural world and its significance in the lives of their characters. The authors explore how the poets used natural imagery, symbolism, and metaphor to convey their ideas and emotions, highlighting the ways in which the natural world served as a backdrop for the political and social conflicts of the time. They also examine how the poets' understanding of the natural world influenced their portrayal of human nature and the role of the individual in society.

The second essay, titled "Poetic Imitation in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the practice of poetic imitation in these poems. The authors examine how the poets used classical and contemporary sources to inspire their writing and how they adapted and transformed these sources to create their own unique poetic styles. They also explore how the practice of poetic imitation contributed to the development of a shared literary language and the establishment of a canon of epic poetry in Iberia.

The third essay, titled "The Discipline of Cartography in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the role of cartography in these poems. The authors examine how the poets used maps and other graphical representations to convey information and to enhance the visual appeal of their works. They also explore how the discipline of cartography influenced the development of a shared cultural identity and the construction of a sense of place in Iberia.

The fourth essay, titled "The Reception of Petrarchism in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores how the poets of the period incorporated elements of Petrarchism into their works. The authors examine how the poets used Petrarchan ideals of love, friendship, and humanism to express their own ideas and emotions and how they adapted these ideals to fit the context of their own lives and experiences. They also explore how the reception of Petrarchism influenced the development of a new literary genre and the establishment of a canon of epic poetry in Iberia.

The fifth essay, titled "The War Trumpet in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the use of the war trumpet in these poems. The authors examine how the war trumpet served as a symbol of power, authority

The sixth essay, titled "The Role of the Individual in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the individual's role in the epic poems of the period. The authors examine how the poets portrayed individuals as both heroes and villains, highlighting the ways in which the individual's choices and actions shaped the course of history and the fate of their societies. They also explore how the individual's quest for self-discovery and self-expression influenced the development of a new literary genre and the establishment of a canon of epic poetry in Iberia.

The seventh essay, titled "The Politics of Gender in Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the role of gender in these poems. The authors examine how the poets portrayed women and men and how they challenged traditional gender roles and stereotypes. They also explore how the politics of gender influenced the development of a new literary genre and the establishment of a canon of epic poetry in Iberia.

The eighth essay, titled "The Influence of the New World on Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the impact of the New World on the development of these poems. The authors examine how the poets of the period incorporated elements of the New World into their works and how they adapted and transformed these elements to fit the context of their own lives and experiences. They also explore how the influence of the New World influenced the development of a shared cultural identity and the construction of a sense of place in Iberia.

The ninth essay, titled "The Legacy of Iberian Renaissance Epic Poetry," explores the enduring influence of these poems on subsequent literary and cultural traditions. The authors examine how the poets of the period influenced later writers and artists, highlighting the ways in which their works continue to resonate with readers and audiences today. They also explore how the legacy of Iberian Renaissance epic poetry contributes to our understanding of the history and culture of early modern Europe.

In conclusion, The War Trumpet is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh perspective on the epic poems of the Iberian Renaissance. By exploring seldom raised questions related to early modern understandings of the natural world, the practice of poetic imitation, the discipline of cartography, and the reception of Petrarchism in the New World, the essays in this collection shed light on the transformative changes that took place during the period of Iberian expansion. The individual's role in these poems was crucial, as they were both heroes and villains, shaping the course of history and the fate of their societies. Gender played a significant role, challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes, and the politics of gender influenced the development of a new literary genre and the establishment of a canon of epic poetry in Iberia. The influence of the New World was also significant, as it brought new elements and ideas to the poets, shaping their works and contributing to a shared cultural identity and sense of place in Iberia. The legacy of Iberian Renaissance epic poetry continues to resonate with readers and audiences today, contributing to our understanding of the history and culture of early modern Europe.

Weight: 680g
Dimension: 236 x 160 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487546328