Introduction to French Poetry

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This book offers a comprehensive survey of French poetry, featuring works by 30 of the country's most significant poets from the mid-15th century to the present. Notable figures include Charles d'Orléans, François Villon, Ronsard, Voltaire, Baudelaire, and Rimbaud, alongside lesser-known yet influential poets like Scève and Malherbe. The anthology presents French texts from reputable critical editions, with clear prose translations by Stanley Applebaum on facing pages, allowing readers to appreciate the original poems without the translator imposing a poetic style. An introductory essay succinctly summarizes the formal aspects of versification, detailing the evolution of rhyme, meter, enjambement, and innovations introduced by Apollinaire and his contemporaries. Each poet is accompanied by a biographical and critical essay that highlights their individual contributions and the broader progression of French poetry. Illustrations, typically portraits of the poets, enhance the selections. This anthology's clarity, comprehensiveness, and affordability make it an excellent resource for those new to French poetry, providing an engaging way to learn vocabulary and grammar while exploring the rich poetic tradition.