The Napoleonic Ode

work by Manzoni

Also known as: “Il cinque maggio”, “The Fifth of May”

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July 1, 2026

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"The Napoleonic Ode," also known as "Il cinque maggio" (The Fifth of May), is a poem by Alessandro Manzoni written in 1822. It commemorates the death of Napoleon Bonaparte, who died in exile on May 5, 1821.1

Manzoni, a prominent Italian poet and novelist, was a key figure in the Romantic movement in Italy. While his most famous work is the novel The Betrothed (I promessi sposi), "The Napoleonic Ode" is recognized for its poetic merit and was highly regarded by contemporaries like Goethe. The poem reflects on Napoleon's life and legacy, considering his rise and fall from a moral and historical perspective.12

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Alessandro Manzoni
…“Il cinque maggio” (1822; “The Napoleonic Ode”), was considered by Goethe, one of the first to translate it into German, as the greatest of many written to commemorate the event.
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…“Il cinque maggio” (1822; “The Napoleonic Ode”), was considered by Goethe, one of the first to translate it into German, as the greatest of many written to commemorate the event.
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Italian literature
Opposing movements
…poet showed in the odes Il cinque maggio (1821; “The Fifth of May”), written on the death of Napoleon, and Marzo 1821 (1821; “March 1821”) and in passages of his Inni sacri (1812–22; Sacred Hymns), five poems in celebration of church holy days, describing human affections. His tragedies, Il conte…
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…poet showed in the odes Il cinque maggio (1821; “The Fifth of May”), written on the death of Napoleon, and Marzo 1821 (1821; “March 1821”) and in passages of his Inni sacri (1812–22; Sacred Hymns), five poems in celebration of church holy days, describing human affections. His tragedies, Il conte…
Read More