Provence and Pound

Provence and Pound offers a compelling exploration of the relationship between Ezra Pound and the tradition of Provençal poetry. Bridging centuries and cultures, the book examines how Pound—one of the most influential modernist poets—engaged with the medieval troubadours of 12th-century Provence, whose refined lyricism and courtly ideals shaped his understanding of poetic form, rhythm, and artistry. The troubadours, renowned for their mastery of the canso and other verse forms, created a literary culture that Pound saw as vibrant, organic, and deeply influential in the evolution of European poetics. By tracing his engagement with Provençal poetry, this study not only sheds light on Pound’s poetic evolution but also challenges traditional interpretations of the troubadour legacy.

The book positions Pound as a revisionist scholar of the troubadours, one who bypassed the rigorous philological traditions of Provençal studies in favor of a more intuitive and artistic approach. While his grasp of Provençal language may have been imprecise, his ability to distill the essential spirit of the troubadour ethos allowed him to reinvigorate their influence for a modern audience. The discussion also reveals how Pound’s fascination with figures like Bertran de Born evolved over time, reflecting his shifting perspectives on poetry, politics, and aesthetics. By placing the medieval and the modern in direct conversation, Provence and Pound highlights the enduring power of the troubadours and underscores Pound’s singular role in resurrecting their legacy within the avant-garde movements of the 20th century.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1978.