Kategoria BISAC: Poetry >> Ancient & Classical

This book brings into print editions, translations, and commentaries for more than two dozen unique poems (in Latin) from the late eleventh and early twelfth century, preserved in Houghton Library's anthology known as MS Lat 300. This book offers unparalleled access to the anthology, previously unavailable in English.

From a literary point of view, those interested in lyric poetry composed in Old French and Old Provençal have paid increasing attention to Latin poetry that circulated in France, and of course those wishing to trace the background of the...

The history of Homer and his works is lost in doubtful obscurity, as is the history of many of the first minds who have done honor to humanity because they rose amidst darkness. The majestic stream of his song, blessing and fertilizing, flows like a river through many lands and nations.

The creations of genius always seem like miracles, because they are, for the most part, created far out of the reach of observation. If we were in possession of all the historical testimonies, we never could wholly explain the origin of the Iliad and the Odyssey. But it must be noted that Homer's great...

• Explores the work of Catullus, one of the best Roman 'lyric poets'
• Provides discussions about production, genre, style, and reception, as well as interpretive essays on key poems and groups of poems
• Grounds Catullus in the socio-historical world around him
• Chapters challenge received wisdom, present original readings, and suggest new interpretations of biographical evidence

An eccentric classic of Zen poetry

When Zen master Ikkyu Sojun (1394-1481) was appointed headmaster of the great temple at Kyoto, he lasted nine days before denouncing the rampant hypocrisy he saw among the monks there. He in turn invited them to look for him in the sake parlors of the Pleasure Quarters. A Zen monk-poet-calligrapher-musician, he dared to write about the joys of erotic love, along with more traditional Zen themes. He was an eccentric and genius who dared to defy authority and despised corruption. Although he lived during times plagued by war, famine, rioting, and...

Features include

- Mythology and mythological references are noted throughout the book and an extensive glossary of names helps the reader follow the complicated genealogies.

- A comprehensive introduction provides comparison of the poem with the Iliad and the Odyssey as...