Canzoniere
Petrarch invented the idea of being in love with love itself.
lyric poetryItalianmoderatemedium · ~8.0h
Influence
7.5/10
Popularity
4.5/10
“It was the day when the sun's rays turned pale with grief for his Maker when I was taken.”
Why It Matters
Petrarch invented the idea of being in love with love itself. His 366 poems to Laura created the template for love poetry in every European language — the unattainable beloved, the suffering poet, the obsessive cataloging of beauty and pain. Shakespeare, Spenser, and every sonneteer since is either imitating or reacting against Petrarch.
The 
Take
Personal reviewA little one note and I know miss something not being able to read Italian. Still awesome historical piece of lit . The sun of my eyes
Notable Quotes
“Rarely do great beauty and great virtue dwell together.”
“Who is so safe that they need not fear?”