Floridoro: A Chivalric Romance (The Other Voice in Early Modern Europe)

The first original chivalric poem written by an Italian woman, __Floridoro__ imbues a strong feminist ethos into a hypermasculine genre. Dotted with the usual characteristics—dark forests, illusory palaces, enchanted islands, seductive sorceresses__—Floridoro__ is the story of the two greatest knights of a bygone age: the handsome Floridoro, who risks everything for love, and the beautiful Risamante, who helps women in distress while on a quest for her inheritance. Throughout, Moderata Fonte (1555–92) vehemently defends women’s capacity to rival male prowess in traditionally male-dominated spheres. And her open criticism of women’s lack of education is echoed in the plights of various female characters who must depend on unreliable men. First published in 1581, __Floridoro__ remains a vivacious and inventive narrative by a singular poet.

The first original chivalric poem written by an Italian woman, Floridoro imbues a strong feminist ethos into a hypermasculine genre. Dotted with the usual characteristics—dark forests, illusory palaces, enchanted islands, seductive sorceresses—Floridoro is the story of the two greatest knights of a bygone age: the handsome Floridoro, who risks everything for love, and the beautiful Risamante, who helps women in distress while on a quest for her inheritance. Throughout, Moderata Fonte (1555–92) vehemently defends women’s capacity to rival male prowess in traditionally male-dominated spheres. And her open criticism of women’s lack of education is echoed in the plights of various female characters who must depend on unreliable men.

First published in 1581, Floridoro remains a vivacious and inventive narrative by a singular poet.

Sixteenth Century Journal

The translation flows easily; it is precise yet agile and it is well suited for scholarly as well as leisurely reading. . . . An excellent edition and translation, confirming the claiber of the texts included in the series.

— Maria Galli Stampino

"The first original chivalric poem written by an Italian woman, Floridoro imbues a strong feminist ethos into a hypermasculine genre. Dotted with the usual characteristics--dark forests, illusory palaces, enchanted islands, seductive sorceresses--Floridoro is the story of the two greatest knights of a bygone age: the handsome Floridoro, who risks everything for love, and the beautiful Risamante, who helps women in distress while on a quest for her inheritance. Throughout, Moderata Fonte (155592) vehemently defends women's capacity to rival male prowess in traditionally male-dominated spheres. And her open criticism of women's lack of education is echoed in the plights of various female characters who must depend on unreliable men. First published in 1581, Floridoro remains a vivacious and inventive narrative by a singular poet."--Jacket The first original chivalric poem written by an Italian woman, Floridoro imbues a strong feminist ethos into a hypermasculine genre. Dotted with the usual characteristics—dark forests, illusory palaces, enchanted islands, seductive sorceresses —Floridoro is the story of the two greatest knights of a bygone age: the handsome Floridoro, who risks everything for love, and the beautiful Risamante, who helps women in distress while on a quest for her inheritance. Throughout, Moderata Fonte (1555–92) vehemently defends women’s capacity to rival male prowess in traditionally male-dominated spheres. And her open criticism of women’s lack of education is echoed in the plights of various female characters who must depend on unreliable men. First published in 1581, Floridoro remains a vivacious and inventive narrative by a singular poet. Moderata Fonte (modesta Pozzo) ; Edited With An Introduction By Valeria Finucci ; Translated By Julia Kisacky ; Annotated By Valeria Finucci And Julia Kisacky. Translated From The Italian. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Appendix Contains Parts Of The Text Of Floridoro In Italian.