The Complete Poems: The 1554 Edition of the "Rime"

The Other Voice in Early Modern Europe: The Chicago Series

by Gaspara Stampa, Troy Tower (Translator), Jane Tylus (Editor & Translator)

Gaspara Stampa (1523?-1554) is one of the finest female poets ever to write in Italian. Although she was lauded for her singing during her lifetime, her success and critical reputation as a poet emerged only after her verse was republished in the early eighteenth century. Her poetry runs the gamut of human emotion, ranging from ecstasy over a consummated love affair to despair at its end. While these tormented works and their multiple male addressees have led to speculation that Stampa may have been one of Venice’s famous courtesans, they can also be read as a rebuttal of typical assumptions about women’s roles. Championed by Rainer Maria Rilke, among others, she has more recently been celebrated by feminist scholars for her distinctive and original voice and her challenge to convention.

The first complete translation of Stampa into English, this volume collects all of her passionate and lyrical verse. It is also the first modern critical edition of her poems, and in restoring the original sequence of the 1554 text, it allows readers the opportunity to encounter Stampa as she intended. Jane Tylus renders Stampa’s verse in precise and graceful English translations, allowing a new generation of students and scholars of poetry, Renaissance literature, and music history to rediscover this incipiently modern Italian poet.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Womens, Italian Literature

443 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2010

About the author

Stampa's collection of poems has a diary form: Gaspara expresses happiness and emotional distresses, and her 311 poems are one of the most important collections of female poetry of the 16th century. This collection was published after her death by her sister Cassandra, and dedicated to Giovanni Della Casa.

The German poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, refers to Gaspara Stampa in the first of his Duino Elegies; which is often considered his greatest work.

Reviews

[Angela Montgomery]

I like the bilingual format. A little repetitive sometimes. I honestly can't imagine any guy was worth so much ink.

[RD Chiriboga Moncayo]

Beautiful and triumphant love poems.

[Anisa]

4.5 Stars

[Bekki]

Brilliant. Stampa has quickly jumped into my top 5 favorite poets. In my humble opinion, she is far better than many other popular poets of the time. It's unfortunate that the world was forgetful of her due to her gender.