The Arthur of the Italians: The Arthurian Legend in Medieval Italian Literature and Culture ed. by Gloria Allaire, and F. Regina Psaki (review)

A comprehensive exploration of the Arthurian legend's influence on medieval Italian literature and culture reveals its significant yet understudied presence. The study, edited by Gloria Allaire and F. Regina Psaki, highlights that while Arthurian themes were more prevalent in prose romances, cantari, and Renaissance works rather than long verse romances, they played a crucial role in shaping Italian literary traditions. It also notes the complex linguistic landscape of early medieval Italy, where Arthurian texts emerged in Hebrew, Greek, and French before developing distinctly in Italian. The research employs comparative analysis to trace the evolution of Arthurian narratives across genres, including lyric poetry and prose, and examines their diffusion through key geographical centers. This volume fills a critical gap by providing the first full-length study on Italian Arthuriana since 1936, offering insights into its development, reception, and cultural significance.

(Ed.). (2015). The Arthur of the Italians: The Arthurian Legend in Medieval Italian Literature and Culture ed. by Gloria Allaire, and F. Regina Psaki (review). Parergon, 32(1), 214–216. https://doi.org/10.1353/pgn.2015.0062