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Regarded as the greatest Italian poet of the nineteenth century, Giacomo Leopardi was also a noted philosopher, essayist and philologist. A principal figure of Romanticism, Leopardi wrote poems that reveal a constant and sensitive reflection on existence and the human condition, characterised by a sensuous and materialist inspiration. Leopardi is widely seen as one of the most radical and challenging thinkers of his time, who produced a unique poetic body of lyrical works, confirming his status as a central figure of world literature. The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature’s finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents Leopardi’s collected works, with related illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Leopardi’s life and works * Concise introduction to Leopardi’s life and poetry * Two translations of Leopardi’s seminal collection of poems, ‘I Canti’. (Frederick Townsend, 1887 and Francis Henry Cliffe, 1893) * Includes the 1835 Italian text of ‘I Canti’ — ideal for students * Images of how the poetry books were first printed, giving your eReader a taste of the original texts * Excellent formatting of the poems * Easily locate the poems you want to read * Includes Leopardi’s prose works — Charles Edwardes’ translation of ‘Operette morali’, an important collection of dialogues and essays * Features a bonus biography * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to see our wide range of poet titles CONTENTS: The Life and Poetry of Giacomo Leopardi Brief Introduction: Giacomo Leopardi by William Dean Howells I Canti — Frederick Townsend translation, 1887 I Canti — Francis Henry Cliffe translation, 1893 I Canti — Original Italian Text, 1835 The Prose Essays and Dialogues (Translated by Charles Edwardes) The Biography Life of Leopardi by Francis Henry Cliffe Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of poetry titles or buy the entire Delphi Poets Series as a Super Set

Trapped between an admiration for the classical past and a disappointment in the impoverished present, Leopardi rejected both the easy allure of Catholic faith and the unbridled optimism proposed by science and the Enlightment. In his world view, all that we love and value is illusion, the truth existing deep in our minds and souls as poignant memories, unrequited passion and stoical acceptance of nature's bleak elementals.

Giacomo Leopardi was the greatest Italian poet of the nineteenth century and was recognized by readers from Nietzsche to Beckett as one of the towering literary figures in Italian history. To many, he is the finest Italian poet after Dante. Leopardi was also a prodigious scholar of classical literature and philosophy, and a voracious reader in numerous ancient and modern languages. For most of his writing career, he kept an immense notebook, known as the Zibaldone, or "hodgepodge," as Harold Bloom has called it, in which he put down his original, wide-ranging, radically modern responses to his reading. His comments about religion, philosophy, language, history, anthropology, astronomy, literature, poetry, and love are unprecedented in their brilliance and suggestiveness, and the Zibaldone, which was only published at the turn of the twentieth century, has been recognized as one of the foundational books of modern culture. Its 4,500-plus pages have never been fully translated into English until now, when a team led by of Michael Caesar and Franco D'Intino of the Leopardi Centre in Birmingham have spent years producing a lively, accurate version. This essential book will change our understanding of nineteenth-century culture. Giacomo Leopardi (1798-1837), Italy's first and greatest modern poet, was also a critic, philosopher and philologist. His enormous Zibaldone, or philosophical and critical notebook, which many consider one of the great books of the 19th century, was published in Penguin Classics in 2013.

This series is conceived as a library of bilingual editions of works chosen for their importance to Italian literature and to the international tradition of art and thought Italy has nurtured. In each volume an Italian text in an authoritative edition is paired with a new facing-page translation supplemented by explanatory notes and a selected bibliography. An introduction provides a historical and critical interpretation of the work. The scholars preparing these volumes hope through Biblioteca ltaliana to point a straight way to the Italian classics. GENERAL EDITOR: Louise George ClubbEDITORIAL BOARDPaul J. Alpers, Vittore BrancaGene Brucker, Fredi ChiappelliPhillip W. Damon, Robert M. DurlingGianfranco Folena, Lauro MartinesNicolas J. Perella

In "The Poems of Giacomo Leopardi," readers are invited into the profound emotional landscape of one of Italy's greatest poets. This collection encapsulates Leopardi's exploration of existential despair, longing, and the sublime beauty of nature, articulated through a mastery of lyrical form that resonates with the Romantic tradition. His verse often grapples with themes of unfulfilled desire, the fleeting nature of happiness, and the confrontations with mortality, crafted in a style that is both vivid and deeply introspective, showcasing his philosophical underpinnings and humanistic concerns. Giacomo Leopardi, a 19th-century poet and philosopher, was shaped by his personal struggles, including chronic illness and social isolation, which profoundly influenced his worldview and creative output. Hailing from a noble background in Recanati, Italy, his intellectual pursuits were marked by an early embrace of literature and philosophy, eventually leading him to reject the conventions of his conservative milieu. His meditative approach to poetry reflects a yearning for connection and understanding in a seemingly indifferent universe. This landmark anthology is highly recommended for readers seeking a deeper appreciation of emotional depth and philosophical inquiry. Leopardi'Äôs poems resonate beyond their historical context, offering timeless reflections on the human condition that will leave readers contemplating their own place in the universe.

Giacomo Leopardi's 'Essays and Dialogues' is a collection of insightful and thought-provoking works that delve into various philosophical and literary themes. Leopardi's writing style is marked by its profound introspection and existential musings, making this book a significant contribution to the Italian Romantic period. Through a series of essays and dialogues, Leopardi contemplates the fleeting nature of life, the limitations of human understanding, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. His poignant reflections are underscored by his deep knowledge of classical literature and philosophy, weaving together a rich tapestry of ideas that challenge readers to question their own beliefs and perceptions. Giacomo Leopardi's personal struggles with existential despair and isolation undoubtedly influenced the profound themes explored in 'Essays and Dialogues'. His unique perspective and eloquent prose make this book an essential read for anyone interested in delving into the complexities of human existence, offering a window into the mind of a brilliant thinker grappling with timeless philosophical questions.

In these «Notebooks» Leopardi, the great nineteenth-century Italian poet, records his ideas about poetry and philosophy, makes notes for future poems, and reflects upon his reading. This translation is the first lengthy selection available to English readers, and it affords valuable insights into the thinking of this most important Italian poet since Petrarch.