Known to many as the “prince of poets,” Pierre de Ronsard was a 16th-century French Renaissance writer and poet. After an illness forced him to abandon his military and diplomatic aspirations, Ronsard turned his attention to literature and poetry. Over the course of seven years, his studies centered on classic poetry, especially Greek and Latin works. Eventually, he began producing his own works. His Odes was published in 1550, followed soon by Les Amours in 1552 and Bocage in 1554. After the publication of his first works, Ronsard quickly rose to literary fame. Soon, Ronsard’s literary school—La Pléiade—became well-known, and its new poetical form, the alexandrine, also gained popularity. The alexandrine form contains a line of 12 syllables with emphasis on the sixth and last syllables. Ronsard’s odes, likewise, also became very well-known. Today, Ronsard’s poetry is still celebrated. This attractive book contains a collection of Ronsard’s songs and sonnets translated into English, perfect for anyone interested in this revolutionary French poet.
