Verse with Prose from Petronius to Dante: The Art and Scope of the Mixed Form (Carl Newell Jackson Lectures)

Peter Dronke illuminates a unique literary tradition: the narrative that mixes prose with verse. Highlighting a wide range of text, he defines and explores the creative ways in which mixed forms were used in Europe from antiquity through to the 13th century. "Verse with Prose" distinguishes some of the most significant use of mixed forms. Dronke looks at the way prose and verse elements function in satirical works, beginning in the 3rd century BC with Menippus. He examines allegorical techniques in the mixed form, paying attention to Boethius' "Consolation of Philosophy". His analysis encompasses a feast of medieval saga and romances - ranging from Iceland to Italy - including vernacular works by Marguerite Porete in France and Mechthild in Germany. A number of the medieval Latin texts presented have remained virtually unknown, but emerge here as narratives with unusual and at times brilliant literary qualities. To enable not only specialists but all who love literature to respond to the works discussed, they are quoted on fresh translations, as well as in the originals. Peter Dronke Illuminates A Unique Literary Tradition: The Narrative That Mixes Prose With Verse. Highlighting A Wide Range Of Texts, He Defines And Explores The Creative Ways In Which Mixed Forms Were Used In Europe From Antiquity Through The Thirteenth Century. Verse With Prose Distinguishes For The First Time Some Of The Most Significant Uses Of Mixed Forms. Dronke Looks At The Way Prose And Verse Elements Function In Satirical Works, Beginning In The Third Century B.c. With Menippus. He Examines Allegorical Techniques In The Mixed Form, Giving Especially Rewarding Attention To Boethius' Consolation Of Philosophy. His Lucid Analysis Encompasses A Feast Of Medieval Sagas And Romances, Ranging From Iceland To Italy, Including Vernacular Works By Marguerite Porete In France And Mechthild In Germany. A Number Of The Medieval Latin Texts Presented Have Remained Virtually Unknown, But Emerge Here As Narratives With Unusual And At Times Brilliant Literary Qualities. To Enable Not Only Specialists But All Who Love Literature To Respond To The Works Discussed, They Are Quoted In Fresh Translations, As Well As In The Originals. I. Menippean Elements -- Ii. Allegory And The Mixed Form -- Iii. Narrative And The Mixed Form -- Iv. The Poetic And The Empirical I Peter Dronke. Carl Newell Jackson Lectures--half T.p. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [117]-143) And Index. Distinguishes several significant uses of mixed form, where prose is combined with verse. The text covers works from the classical world to the Middle Ages, and from countries ranging from Iceland to Italy.