After Petrarch studied the humanists before him, he began to write great sonnets and he was known to be the "father of humanism". Petrarch wrote lyric poetry dealing with individuals; he wanted to share knowledge for the public good. ... He started a library of the classics where he translated them for everyone to read. ... Boccaccio lived in Florence with Petrarch and Dante in 1350. ... (Fleming 253) After the fall of Constantinople the collection and translations of classical books or writings became really popular. ...

• Word Count: 656
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Observing the originals' meters and rhyming, though not always according to the original schemes, Nims' translations allow us to appreciate that greatness. ... That this great artist represents himself as unworthy of his loves and frustrated by his inadequacies (many of them having to do with his age, for these are poems written mostly in his 60s and later to much younger beloveds) is conventional--other sonneteers and madrigalists of the time voiced similar sentiments--yet as Nims' accompanying text makes clear, it is also psychologically accurate. ... We are here face to face ...

• Word Count: 1026
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School