Chi é questa, che ven, ch'ogni uom la mira

Guido Cavalcanti

General Description

Date: 1275-1280?
Rhyme: ABBAABBACDEEDC
Meter: hendecasyllabics
Genre: sonnet

Bibliography

“Introduction to Part II” (in Early Italian Poets) I. 193-206

◦ Cicciaporci, Rime di Guido Cavalcanti, 4

◦ Cassata, Guido Cavalcanti. Rime, 56-58

Scholarly Commentary

Introduction

Cavalcanti's sonnet is clearly in debt to Guido Guinizelli's treatment of the subject of the Ideal lady. The first line, echoing both Isaiah 63:1 and the Song of Songs 6:9, makes a brilliant opening to a poem that manages such a deft treatment of mortal woman as quasi-transcendental figure and source of grace.

Electronic Archive Edition: 1