La Gerusalemme Liberata

Jerusalem Delivered (La Gerusalemme liberata) is Torquato Tasso's (1544-1595) fictionalized account of the first crusade in epic poem form.

First published in 1581, Torquato Tasso's "Jerusalem Delivered (Gerusalemme liberata)" is a magical epic poem that tells the story of the First Crusade, led by Godfrey of Bouillon and other European noblemen and warriors. The story is full of supernatural characters and events. It develops during the bloody siege of Jerusalem, against the Moors and their famous leader, Soliman. The story in "Jerusalem Delivered" is violent and erotic, especially the torrid love affair between Tancred, the bravest of the Christians, and Clorinda, a fierce but beautiful warrioress. Written in the XVI century, "Jerusalem Delivered" book captures the spirit and ideology of the Middle Ages, specifically the XI century. Like in "Curial and Guelfa", Christian symbols mix with Greco-Roman ones, in a tale of war and sex. Tasso's images are powerful and the poetry of "Jerusalem Delivered" is anything but childish or naive. As I said, it is violent and full of action. It contains no boring digressions or reflections, but pure action. Today, "Jerusalem Delivered" is considered to be a one the masterpieces of Italian literature. This Spenserian translation by Edward Fairfax, rendered in 1600, is the only significant translation that has endured the test of time.

Gerusalemme Liberata Jerusalem Delivered By Torquato Tasso (1544-1595) Published 1581 in Parma, Italy Translated by Edward Fairfax (1560-1635); translation first published in London, 1600 COMPLETE EDITION Jerusalem Delivered (Italian: La Gerusalemme liberata) is an epic poem by the Italian poet Torquato Tasso first published in 1581, which tells a largely mythified version of the First Crusade in which Christian knights, led by Godfrey of Bouillon, battle Muslims in order to take Jerusalem. The poem is composed of eight line stanzas grouped into 20 cantos of varying length. The work belongs to the Italian Renaissance tradition of the romantic epic poem, and Tasso frequently borrows plot elements and character types directly from Ariosto's Orlando furioso. Tasso's poem also has elements inspired by the classical epics of Homer and Virgil (especially in those sections of their works that tell of sieges and warfare). One of the most characteristic literary devices in Tasso's poem is the emotional conundrum endured by characters torn between their heart and their duty; the depiction of love at odds with martial valour or honor is a central source of lyrical passion in the poem.