Massimo Bontempelli e Lirica italiana

The essay focuses on the characteristics of the Italian literary anthology Lirica italiana (1943), both within Bompiani’s “Pantheon” series, and against the backdrop of the extremely complex sociopolitical situation and the literary criticism of the time. Editor Massimo Bontempelli’s operation is crucial not only for the cultural and pedagogical function assigned to the anthological genre, but also for his critical vision: by proposing his own lyric canon, Bontempelli problematizes the notion of “classic”, its translatability and transmission. In re-reading works of the past, Bontempelli is both conservative and innovative, yet always bearing in mind contemporary readers amid the hardships of the war: while showcasing his aesthetics, he is also sending them a political message of hope and solidarity.