Book description
Ronsard is considered one of France's greatest love poets, yet his
poetic achievements are not restricted to his verses of love, wine and
nature. A true Renaissance figure, his themes ranged from politics,
science and philsophy, to the bawdy and risqu . Using Greco-Roman and
Italian poetic models, and drawing on the rich images of classical
mythology, Ronsard revolutionised the tradition of French poetry. In the
20th century, Ronsard's poetry was influential for W. B. Yeats,
translated by Sylvia Plath, and illustrated by Henri Matisse. He stands
as one of the most innovative and diverse voices in the history of
European poetry.
Pierre de Ronsard (1524-85) was leader of the Pl iade group of poets.
He is most famous for his Odes and his later sonnet sequences, which
were a great influence on the English sonnet writers of the 16th century.
Malcolm Quainton is Professor of French at Lancaster University. He
is the author of Distant Voices Still Heard with John O'Brien
(Liverpool University Press, 2000). Elizabeth Vinestock teaches French
literature at Lancaster University.
