&lt;i&gt;Cantari della Reina d’Oriente&lt;/i&gt; (review)
Mary-Michelle DeCoste
Reviewed by: Cantari della Reina d’Oriente Mary-Michelle Decoste (bio) Antonio Pucci. d’Oriente. Edited by Attilio Motta and William Robins. Commissione per i testi di lingua. cciii, 226. This critical edition of the Pucci represents a valuable addition to our knowledge medieval Italian literature. One most interesting cantari, enjoyed tremendous success became part standard repertoire canterini. Unfortunately, poem is not widely known in present day. For this editors blame fact that easily identified with one three matières romance (classical, Arthurian, or Carolingian) its relatively long complex plot make it difficult anthologize. Furthermore, until now, modern readers have had at their disposal only unreliable 1914. Motta’s Robins’s ought draw more scholarly attention poem, which particularly portrayal female power. The also includes fascinating scene homoeroticism, theme deserves work, as appears texts. [End Page 233] opens detailed introduction Robins situate within literary landscape, consider possible models sources, describe reception. Most significant thorough explanation approach used determine how best including consideration what concept textual ‘error’ might mean world cantari. actually given us two editions: on left pages version earliest text datable last quarter thirteenth century; right constructed from an examination poem’s whole history. presentation different methodological approaches, see working fruitful tension another. experiment cladistic approach, according which, notion having been problematized, system taxonomy similar biological sciences employed diagram relationships among editions text. followed description various editions, editorial methods used, texts poem. itself recounts stories. In opening tale, queen Orient finds herself struggle against emperor Rome, ends military battle. second, queen’s daughter, dressed man, marries emperor’s daughter ultimately changed into man. last, women find themselves opposed evil Donna Spina. central autonomy thus receives treatments, each register. judge be Pucci’s works, indeed all After provide list variants, notes texts, glossary (common both versions poem) archaic unusual terms. On whole, marvellous book. joy read. apparatus model integrity devotion nonetheless dares advance fresh work kind. benefits are obvious, scholars literature owe debt for efforts. DeCoste, School Languages Literatures, University Guelph Copyright © 2009 Toronto Press Incorporated
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