In this new edition Musa views Dante's intention as one of cruel and comic commentary on the shallowness and self-pity of his protagonist, who only occasionally glimpses the true nature of love.

". . . the explication de texte which accompanies [Musa's] translation is instructively novel, always admirable. . . . This present work offers English readers a lengthy appraisal which should figure in future scholarly discussions." Choice

PREFACE

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE
THE NEW LIFE
AN ESSAY ON THE VITA NUOVA
I. PATTERNS
II. APSPECTS
III. GROWTH

NOTES ON THE ESSAY