The Early Italian Poets

The Early Italian Poets by Dante Gabriel Rossetti offers a comprehensive exploration of early Italian poetry, spanning from poets like Ciullo d'Alcamo to Dante Alighieri. Initially published in 1861, this collection features Rossetti's translations of seminal works from the Italian trecento, capturing the vibrancy and intricacies of early Italian verse in their original meters. By presenting these works to an English-speaking audience, Rossetti sought to broaden knowledge of Italy’s poetic heritage, providing insight into the stylistic and thematic developments that would later influence Dante. His translations not only serve as a valuable historical record but also reflect Rossetti's artistic sensitivity, blending scholarly rigor with poetic expression.

Rossetti’s own poetic inclinations are evident in his approach to translation, which he saw as a means of honing his craft while offering a fresh perspective on Italian poetry. As a key member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Rossetti brought an artist’s eye to his translations, emphasizing the detail and vividness found in the original works. His translations stand apart from his contemporaries, evoking a unique lyricism that is rich in color, rhythm, and emotion. The 1874 revised edition reorganized the material and added new poems, making this work not just a translation but also a personal reflection on the relationship between translation and creation. Through his careful and reflective translations, Rossetti introduced a poetic vitality that would resonate through Victorian English poetry, influencing poets like Ezra Pound and others in their own exploration of Italian literary traditions.

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 1981.