Discorsi del poema eroico

The Discorsi del poema eroico (Treatise on Epic Poetry) is a work by Torquato Tasso, published in 1594. In this treatise, Tasso aimed to justify a revised version of his epic poem, Gerusalemme conquistata (Jerusalem Vanquished), according to his evolving ideas about poetic art. This work reflects Tasso's engagement with classical theories of epic poetry, particularly those derived from Aristotle, and his attempts to reconcile these with the spiritual and moral concerns of his time, especially in the context of the Counter-Reformation. The treatise is significant for understanding Tasso's critical thought and his literary evolution, particularly his shift towards a more morally didactic approach to epic poetry.12