The spirit of romance; an attempt to define somewhat the charm of the pre-renaissance literature of Latin Europe

By Ezra Pound

Book Overview

Before the Renaissance had a name, its passions were already being sung in the courts and streets of Latin Europe. In The Spirit of Romance, Ezra Pound listens closely to those voices and uncovers the living energy of pre renaissance european literature. Its insights still feel new. Drawing on troubadour song, early Italian verse and the shadowed brilliance of Dante, Pound offers classic literary criticism in the form of searching essays on medieval literature. Rather than a dry survey of romance literature history, he traces the pulse of feeling that runs through medieval Latin Europe, especially pre renaissance Italy and France, revealing how love lyrics, devotional visions and heroic tales shaped a new poetic consciousness. The result is a cornerstone work of Ezra Pound criticism: illuminating Latin Europe medieval romance for fans of Dante, for literature students, and for readers seeking rich academic medieval studies reading and serious troubadour and Dante studies. First published in the early twentieth century, The Spirit of Romance stands as a historically important bridge between medieval texts and contemporary poetics, valued by scholars and classic-literature collectors for its boldness and clarity of insight into pre renaissance european literature. Republished by Alpha Editions in a careful modern edition, this volume preserves the spirit of the original while making it effortless to enjoy today - a heritage title prepared for readers and collectors alike.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9353605989
• ISBN13: 9789353605988
• Release Date: March 2019
• Publisher: Alpha Edition
• Length: 264 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"