Apollo, s' Ancor Vive Il Bel Desio
The poem expresses the poet's longing for a beloved who has departed, and his desire to be reunited with her in heaven. He invokes Apollo to anchor his beautiful desire, which remains vivid despite the passage of time. The poet reflects on the fleeting nature of earthly life and the inevitability of death, yet he holds onto his hope of being reunited with his loved one in the afterlife.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1344 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Allegory · 358 words
First lines
HE COMPARES HER TO A LAUREL, WHICH HE SUPPLICATES APOLLO TO DEFEND.
O Phoebus, if that fond desire remains, Which fired thy breast near the Thessalian wave; If those bright tresses, which such pleasure gave, Through lapse of years thy memory not disdains; From sluggish frosts, from rude inclement rains.
What this Textopian page supports
Apollo, s' Ancor Vive Il Bel Desio is listed on Textopian as a poem by Francesco Petrarca, dated 1344 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Francesco Petrarca
- Date: 1344 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Allegory, Classical Literature, Sonnet
- Length: 358 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
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- Work identity for Apollo, s' Ancor Vive Il Bel Desio by Francesco Petrarca
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Apollo, s' Ancor Vive Il Bel Desio?
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Similar titles
- Stiamo Amor A Veder La Gloria Nostra by Francesco Petrarca
- Tra Quantunque Leggiadre Donne E Belle by Francesco Petrarca
- Amor Fra L Orbe Una Leggiadra Rete by Francesco Petrarca
- Amor Con Sue Promesse Lusingando by Francesco Petrarca
- Amor Che Vedi Ogni Pensiero Aperto by Francesco Petrarca
- Poi Che Mia Speme E Lunga A Venir Troppo by Francesco Petrarca
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by personal expression of emotions and feelings, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, desire, and nature reflect the romantic ideals prevalent in Petrarca's work.
- Allegory — The comparison of the beloved to a laurel and the invocation of Apollo suggest deeper symbolic meanings.
- Classical Literature — References to classical figures like Apollo and themes from ancient mythology align with classical literary traditions.
Tags
Italian Literature · Renaissance Poetry · Love Poems · Sonnet Collection · Classical Influence · Medieval Inspiration · Courtly Love · Elegy · Lyrical Poetry · Philosophical Themes · Spiritual Quest · Beauty and Desire
More by Francesco Petrarca
- Fifteen sonnets of Petrarch (1350)
- Voi, Ch' Ascoltate in Rime Sparse Il Suono (1343)
- Per Far Una Leggiadra Sua Vendetta (1343)
- Era 'L Giorno Ch' Al Sol Si Scoloraro (1343)
- Quel Ch' Infinita Providenza Ed Arte (1343)
- Quand' Io Movo I Sospiri a Chiamar Voi (1344)
- Si Traviato E 'L Folle Mio Desio (1343)
- La Gola E 'L Sonno E L' Oziose Piume (1344)
- All works by Francesco Petrarca