Stories from the Italian Poets: with Lives of the Writers, Volume 1

"Stories from the Italian Poets: with Lives of the Writers, Volume 1" by Leigh Hunt, is a compilation of rewritten stories from well-known Italian poets combined with insightful biographies published in the 1800s. The book gives readers a survey of significant Italian literary figures, focusing on Dante, Pulci, Boiardo, Ariosto, and Tasso. This volume serves as an accessible gateway into Italian literature by translating poetic works into readable prose. Hunt wants his work to capture the essence of the original poems within a coherent story. Hunt expresses his intentions in a letter to Sir Percy Shelley. Dante's complex works are highlighted for their importance. The collection promises abstracts as well as translated stories which includes the story of Paulo and Francesca. The book invites explorations into Italian poetry as well as appreciation for the lives of the poets who created these iconic stories.