Jerusalem Delivered; Translated into English Spenserian Verse from the Italian of Torquato Tasso. With a Life of the Author by J.H. Wiffen.

TASSO, Torquato

Published by London: John Murray:, Second edition,, 1826

About this Item

3 vols., 8vo, [clvi, 305pp] + [iv, 350pp] + [390pp], engraved portrait frontispiece of Tasso from an original picture presented to the Author by W. Roscoe, engraved decorations, facsimile of Tasso's hand-writing, a.e.g., contemp. full navy calf with gilt ruled borders and gilt decorated outer edges, extensive gilt decoration to spine in six compartments with contrasting morocco title & volume labels, some light wear, but generally a VG++ clean set in a handsome binding. Arguably the greatest Italian poet after Dante, Torquato Tasso was born in Sorrento in 1544 and died in Rome in 1595, having served as the court poet in Ferrara, been confined for years in a madhouse after attacking a servant with a knife, and composed one of the great works of Renaissance literature. Tasso's epic poem 'Jerusalem Delivered', first published in 1581, is set in the 11th century and tells the story of the First Crusade and the siege which gave Christian armies control over Jerusalem and the Holy Lands for a time. As in other epic poems, 'Jerusalem Delivered' deftly mixes history and myth. Tasso's heroes - Godfrey, leader of the Christian armies; Rinaldo, bravest of the Christian warriors; and Tancred, the Italian prince who falls in love with the pagan warrioress Clorinda, whom he eventually (and simultaneously) converts and kills - must face not only the Saracens and their allies, but also a host of fearsome and manipulative devils, demons, and sorcerers. This is a sweeping and often thrilling tale of war, faith, love, and sex that easily rivals its classical predecessors. Writing at a time when Christianity was bitterly divided, Tasso was naturally concerned with the nature of leadership and loyalty, with the importance of sacrifice, with the evils of corruption, and with the existence of truth, themes that continue to resonate today. No wonder that for three centuries, 'Jerusalem Delivered' was considered the great modern epic. Indeed, Spenser borrowed scenes and episodes from this poem in writing the 'Faerie Queen', and Milton was greatly influenced by Tasso when writing his own Christian epic, 'Paradise Lost'.

Seller Inventory # 2090

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Jerusalem Delivered; Translated into English Spenserian Verse from the Italian of Torquato Tasso. With a Life of the Author by J.H. Wiffen.
• Publisher: London: John Murray:, Second edition,
• Publication Date: 1826
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Antiquarian Literature
  • Fine bindings
  • Poetry