Giunto Alessandro Alla Famosa Tomba
The poem is a lamentation of the death of Giovanni Colonna, a noble and virtuous man. The speaker describes his journey to the tomb where Colonna lies, and expresses sorrow and admiration for the deceased. He praises Colonna's virtues, beauty, and noble lineage, and mourns the loss of such a great individual.
By Francesco Petrarca · First published 1348 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Romanticism · 361 words
First lines
HE FEARS THAT HE IS INCAPABLE OF WORTHILY CELEBRATING HER.
The son of Philip, when he saw the tomb Of fierce Achilles, with a sigh, thus said: "O happy, whose achievements erst found room From that illustrious trumpet to be spread O'er earth for ever! " -- But, beyond the gloom Of deep Oblivion shall that loveliest maid, Whose like to view seems not of earthly doom, By my imperfect accents be convey'd? Her of the Homeric, the Orphean Lyre, Most worthy, or that shepherd, Mantua's pride, To be the theme of their immortal lays; Her stars and unpropitious fate denied This palm: -- and me bade to such height aspire, Who, haply, dim her glories by my praise.
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Giunto Alessandro Alla Famosa Tomba is listed on Textopian as a poem by Francesco Petrarca, dated 1348 CE.
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- Work type: Poem
- Author: Francesco Petrarca
- Date: 1348 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Elegy, Romanticism, Classical Literature, Philosophical Poetry
- Length: 361 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Similar titles
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- Per Mezzo I Boschi Inospiti E Selvaggi by Francesco Petrarca
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work expresses personal emotions and reflections, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Elegy — The themes of lamentation and the celebration of a lost figure align with the elegiac tradition.
- Romanticism — The focus on individual emotion and the idealization of the subject reflects Romantic ideals.
- Classical Literature — References to classical figures and themes indicate a connection to classical literary traditions.
Tags
Italian literature · Renaissance poetry · Sonnet · Elegy · Tomb of Alexander the Great · Ancient Greek history · Mourning · Lamentation · Death and mourning · Classical allusions · Historical figures · Conquerors
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