Petrarch, the First Modern Scholar and Man of Letters: A Selection from His Correspondence with Boccaccio and Other Friends, Designed to Illustrate the Beginnings of the Renaissance

by Francesco Petrarca, James Harvey Robinson (translator), Henry Winchester Rolfe (translator)

In 'Petrarch, the First Modern Scholar and Man of Letters' by Francesco Petrarca, the reader is immersed in the world of Renaissance humanism through the eyes of one of its most influential figures. Petrarca's work not only explores classical themes and ideas, but also serves as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the modern era. The book showcases Petrarca's profound understanding of literature, philosophy, and history, all of which are interwoven in his poetic and prose works. His unique literary style, characterized by his use of the vernacular Italian language, sets him apart from his contemporaries and solidifies his place as a pivotal figure in the development of European literature. Petrarca's influence can be seen in subsequent generations of writers and thinkers who looked to him as a model of intellectual and artistic excellence. With meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of his subject matter, Petrarca's 'Petrarch, the First Modern Scholar and Man of Letters' is a must-read for anyone interested in the origins of modern scholarship and literary expression.

369 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2022

About the author

Famous Italian poet, scholar, and humanist Francesco Petrarca, known in English as Petrarch, collected love lyrics in Canzoniere .

People often call Petrarch the earliest Renaissance "father of humanism". Based on Petrarch's works, and to a lesser extent those of Dante Alighieri and Giovanni Boccaccio, Pietro Bembo in the 16th century created the model for the modern Italian language, which the Accademia della Crusca later endorsed. People credit Petrarch with developing the sonnet. They admired and imitated his sonnets, a model for lyrical poems throughout Europe during the Renaissance. Petrarch called the Middle Ages the Dark Ages.

Reviews

[Rod Zinkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is compiled by and commentary of James Harvey Robinson. A good book, with a decent selection of letters by Petrarch. Easier to read than many scholarly books on the same subject. Robinson introduces some of the common themes to Petrarch's letters, and provides some biographical context.