D gioia on new poetry
A great topic!
Dante Alighieri's "De vulgari eloquentia" (On Eloquence in the Vernacular) is a treatise on language and poetry, written in the 14th century. While not exclusively focused on new poetry, it does discuss the role of poetry in society and the importance of using the vernacular language (Italian) in literary works.
In "De vulgari eloquentia", Dante argues that poetry should be written in the vernacular language, rather than Latin, which was the dominant language of literature and scholarship at the time. He believes that poetry should be accessible to a wider audience, not just the educated elite, and that the vernacular language is better suited to express the emotions and experiences of ordinary people.
Dante's ideas about poetry and language had a significant impact on the development of Italian literature and the Renaissance. His emphasis on the importance of the vernacular language paved the way for the rise of Italian as a literary language, and his ideas about the role of poetry in society influenced many other writers and poets.
Some key points from "De vulgari eloquentia" that are relevant to new poetry include:
- The importance of accessibility: Dante argues that poetry should be written in a language that is accessible to a wide audience, not just the educated elite.
- The power of the vernacular: Dante believes that the vernacular language is better suited to express the emotions and experiences of ordinary people, and that it is more effective in conveying the poet's message.
- The role of poetry in society: Dante sees poetry as a way to express the values and ideals of society, and to inspire people to live virtuous lives.
- The importance of innovation: Dante encourages poets to experiment with new forms and styles, and to push the boundaries of what is possible in poetry.
These ideas are still relevant today, and can be seen in many forms of new poetry, including spoken word, slam poetry, and experimental poetry.