Petrarch’s Secret
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Petrarch's Secret, also known as Secretum meum, is a semi-autobiographical dialogue written by the Italian scholar and poet Petrarch between 1342 and 1358. The work features a dialogue between Petrarch and Saint Augustine, with the presence of Truth, exploring Petrarch's internal conflicts between his secular desires and his spiritual aspirations.123
The dialogue delves into Petrarch's struggles with worldly preoccupations and his efforts to find a path to God amidst his personal affairs and errors. It is considered crucial for understanding Petrarch's conflicting ideals and his humanist religious and moral outlook. The text reflects his deep religious faith, love of virtue, and perception of the transient nature of human existence.23
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Italian literaturePetrarch (1304–74)Augustine, Secretum meum (written 1342–58; Petrarch’s Secret), is most important for a full understanding of his conflicting ideals. The Canzoniere—a collection of sonnets, songs, sestine, ballads, and madrigals on which he worked indefatigably from 1330 until his death—gave these ideals poetic expression. Although this collection of vernacular poems was intended…
Read MoreAugustine, Secretum meum (written 1342–58; Petrarch’s Secret), is most important for a full understanding of his conflicting ideals. The Canzoniere—a collection of sonnets, songs, sestine, ballads, and madrigals on which he worked indefatigably from 1330 until his death—gave these ideals poetic expression. Although this collection of vernacular poems was intended…
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history of EuropeRenaissance thoughtPetrarch struggled with the problem in his book Secretum meum (1342–43, revised 1353–58), in which he imagines himself chastised by St. Augustine for his pursuit of worldly fame. Even the most celebrated of Renaissance themes, the “dignity of man,” best known in the Oration on…
Read MorePetrarch struggled with the problem in his book Secretum meum (1342–43, revised 1353–58), in which he imagines himself chastised by St. Augustine for his pursuit of worldly fame. Even the most celebrated of Renaissance themes, the “dignity of man,” best known in the Oration on…
Read More