Giacomo Leopardi was an Italian scholar, poet, essayist, and philosopher, recognized as one of the great writers of the 19th century. His personal experiences with love deeply influenced some of his most melancholic lyrics, showcasing a profound emotional depth. Despite residing in a small town, Leopardi remained attuned to the core ideas of the Enlightenment, integrating them into his evolving worldview. His literary trajectory positioned him as a prominent figure among Romantic poets, exploring themes of human existence and its inherent sorrows, a perspective mirrored in the philosophy of his contemporary Arthur Schopenhauer.
Giacomo Leopardi, hailed as Italy's greatest poet since Dante, presents an unfinished masterpiece in The Cantos. This work showcases his exceptional poetic talent intertwined with a profound moral awareness, characterized by its somber lyricism. As one of the early modern thinkers in the West, Leopardi's writings reflect deep introspection and a unique perspective on human existence.
First published in 1827 and here presented in a new translation by J.G. Nichols along with Thoughts, Leopardis own selected pearls of wisdom and gems of social observation, this volume will enchant both those who are familiar with and those who are new to the works of Italys last great polymath.
Giacomo Leopardi, an influential figure of the 19th century, emerged from the conservative Papal States to engage with Enlightenment ideas, despite his secluded upbringing. His literary evolution led to the creation of a significant body of work characterized by pessimism and deep philosophical insights, aligning him with the Romantic movement. Leopardi's poetry and essays reflect profound themes of existence and human experience, establishing him as one of the era's greatest poets.
An anthology of the work of one of Italy's finest lyric poets.
"Libro dei sogni poetici, d'invenzione e di capricci malinconici" le aveva definite scherzosamente il Leopardi, consegnando invece a queste pagine la dialettica drammatica del suo pensiero e della sua stessa vita. Opera filosofica, libro di poetica, sincera passione laica, le Operette morali rappresentano - scrive Paolo Ruffilli nell'introduzione - il testo limite della nostra letteratura non soltanto ottocentesca: luogo di coincidenza di poesia e di prosa, di fantasia e di ragionamento, di invenzione e di lucida analisi del reale.
I Canti di Leopardi sono una delle più alte espressioni della lirica dell’Ottocento, accanto alle poesie di Hölderlin, Keats, Shelley, Baudelaire; ma sono anche un capolavoro assoluto e universale, la cui perenne attualità è dimostrata dal moltiplicarsi di studi e traduzioni in ogni Paese. Il vasto ed esaustivo commento si segnala per la limpidezza e ricchezza dell’annotazione, che tende a spiegare «Leopardi con Leopardi», facendo ricorso alle varianti autografe e ai testi in prosa del poeta.
Anthology of texts by Leopardi on the theme of love.
