Morgante

A classic picaresque epic detailing the thrilling exploits of Orlando, "Morgante" is a tale of war and of the calamities that befall the romantic hero, his fellow knights, and their sovereign, Charlemagne. After encountering the fierce Morgante, Orlando converts the giant, who then becomes his squire and trusted companion. This long-awaited annotated English translation will lead to a new appreciation of Luigi Pulci's singular epic masterpiece and contribute to a reassessment of the author's influence on modern English literature. Luigi Pulci (1432-1484) has been called the first Romantic poet after Dante. Admired by Lord Byron, Pulci was a major influence on the English Romantic poets. He was born in Florence to a noble family and was a member of the literary circle of his friend Lorenzo de Medici. His best known work "Il Morgante" is a history of the exploits of the romantic hero Orlando. It is a tale of wars and calamities that befall the hero, his fellow knights, and their sovereign Charlemagne. The misguided king trusts his favorite the treacherous Gan of Maganza. This causes Orlando to leave the court with some of the kings best knights. A series of adventures follow including the encounter with the giant Morgante. Orlando converts the giant who becomes his squire and trusted companion. Morgante aids Orlando in many adventures including the capture of Babylon. Morgante, however, is bitten by a snail during one adventure and dies. Orlando and most of the Paladins die through the deceit of Gan in an ambush at Roncesvalles at the hands of the Saracen King of Spain.