1st Edition

The Dream of Bernat Metge

By Richard Vernier Copyright 2002

    The Dream of Bernat Metge is the first English translation of Lo Somni, a prose dialogue written around 1397 by the Catalan humanist Bernat Metge (?1340-1413). It stands as a noteworthy example of nascent humanism and a vivid document of contemporary customs in the Crown of Aragon. As a document touching on eschatology, faith and scepticism, politics, classical mythology, traditional mysogyny and current fashions, it holds appeal for scholars in many fields. This is one of the few modern editions of the text available, and the only one presented in English. Richard Vernier provides an extensive original introduction, as well as an annotated translation of the text. In the introduction, Vernier places the text in its historical and cultural background, and supplies a brief biography of the author. He discusses literary antecedents of Lo Somni, poised as it is between medieval allegory and humanistic discourse, and its value in the development of Catalan prose. He also traces the history of the text from the time it was written through its descent into oblivion, to its rediscovery in the nineteenth century. This first English-language edition of Lo Somni will interest historians and scholars of literature, philosophy and Romance languages. This translation provides a unique opportunity for comparative studies with other Western European medieval texts and authors.

    Contents: Introduction; The Dream of Bernat Metge: Book one; Book two; Book three; Book four; Appendix: Apologia; Bibliography; Index.

    Biography

    Richard Vernier

    'As a breakthrough in the modern dissemination of Metge's masterpiece, Vernier's effort is most commendable: bridging over centuries of oblivion, it...provides [the reader] with an excellent translation... Metge is being introduced to a new wide readership in a distinguished way...' Nottingham Medieval Studies 'Richard Vernier sets out the turbulent political background in a lively and elegant introduction and his translation [...] combines down-to-earth zest with fluency.' Medium Aevum