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Petrarch
Petrarch: The Canzoniere, or Rerum vulgarium fragmenta | Mark Musa
3 posts | 2 read | 1 to read
"Mark Musa, in editing and translating Petrarchs Canzoniere, has performed a wonderful service to the English-speaking reader. Here, in one volume, are included the poets own selection of the best lyric verse he wrote throughout his life, accompanied by brief but useful notes... " Chronicles "As well as skillful and fluent verse renderings of the 366 lyrics that make up this milestone in the development of Western poetic tradition, Musa offers copious and up-to-date annotation to each poem... along with a substantial, sensitive, and intelligent introduction that is genuinely helpful for the first-time reader and thought provoking for Petrarch scholars and other medievalists." Choice The 366 poems of Petrarchs Canzoniere represent one of the most influential works in Western literature. Varied in form, style, and subject matter, these "scattered rhymes" contains metaphors and conceits that have been absorbed into the literature and language of love. In this bilingual edition, Mark Musa provides verse translations, annotations, and an introduction co-authored with Barbara Manfredi.
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Graywacke
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Been hacking away at this since Feb 1 and I just, finally, finished today. One 2021 goal down. What to make of this? Well... it doesn‘t translate well despite inspiring efforts and imitation (like Shakespeare & Thomas Wyatt). P moans, a lot, and then Laura dies and then, well, he moans more. But the 1st ones are melodramatic stalker moans, 2nd ones rooted in something maybe deeper, more meaningful. Overall an odd experience, but an experience.

Graywacke For what it‘s worth: on top is Thomas G. Bergin‘s 1966 anthology with lots of Victorian style translations. Actually fun. Then David Young who reads easy, but keeps the language plain and makes some odd choices. At the bottom Mark Musa, who keeps the translation accurate and has extensive if imperfect, notes. They each have strengths and weaknesses. 4y
TiminCalifornia Great reviews. 4y
Suet624 Congrats on finishing. 4y
See All 10 Comments
Lcsmcat Kitty is unimpressed. But very elegant. 😺 4y
Graywacke @TiminCalifornia thank you! @Suet624 yes! 💪 thank you. 4y
Graywacke @Lcsmcat he‘s already read all those old classics. Old news to him. 🐈‍⬛ 4y
Liz_M Congrats on finishing! I hope this means you are able to rethink your 2021 goals or find a better rhythm if you stick with the existing ones. 😸 4y
Graywacke @Liz_M thank you. Yeah, what to do about those plans? Not sure. I‘m still in some denial. But this might help me focus more on my non-Petrarch reading. (Currently The Mirror and the Light and Richard III) 4y
labfs39 Oh good! I was looking for a book with “melodramatic stalker moans.” Not. 4y
57 likes10 comments
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Graywacke
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It‘s really not a good time when this hits too close to home. 😔

Tanisha_A ❤️ 4y
Lcsmcat Maybe, like Captain Benwick from Persuasion, you should read less poetry and more prose for a bit. 😀 4y
Graywacke @Tanisha_A thanks. 💙 4y
Graywacke @Lcsmcat Well, it‘s becoming surprisingly meaningful. Also i‘ve been cruising. I may finish before the end of the month. 4y
Lcsmcat @Graywacke 👍🏻 4y
41 likes5 comments
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Graywacke
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More Petrarch. I‘m now reading three translations.

Lcsmcat Do you bounce between them? 4y
Graywacke @Lcsmcat yes. Once i read Musa‘s notes, i kinda of have to immediately go read all versions with them in mind. 🙂 (of course, only Musa strictly honors his own notes, so there is a little of natural seditious undermining of all other translations.) 4y
Lcsmcat @Graywacke. 😂😂 “seditious undermining of all other translations” 4y
44 likes3 comments