Salvatore Quasimodo Quotes

A collection of quotes by Salvatore Quasimodo.

Salvatore Quasimodo (1901-1968) was an Italian poet, critic, and translator. Born in Modica, Sicily, he grew up in an artistic and literary milieu, which greatly influenced his development as a poet. Quasimodo's early poetic works were deeply rooted in the natural landscapes and traditions of his homeland, celebrating the beauty of Sicily and its people.

In the 1930s, Quasimodo became associated with "Hermeticism," a group of poets characterized by their complex and highly symbolic language. His poetry often explored existential themes, reflecting on humanity's place in the modern world and the profound impact of war, violence, and political strife. Despite the difficulty of his language, Quasimodo's work resonated with readers, as he sought to express universal emotions and experiences.

Quasimodo's most acclaimed collection, "Ed è subito sera" (1934), established him as a prominent figure in Italian poetry. He went on to publish numerous other collections, including "Oboe sommerso" (1932) and "Giorno dopo giorno" (1947). Quasimodo's poetic genius was recognized with various awards, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1959, making him the first Italian to receive this prestigious honor.

Aside from his poetic endeavors, Quasimodo also worked as a translator, introducing Italian readers to the works of renowned poets such as T.S. Eliot, Paul Valéry, and William Shakespeare. His translations were characterized by their meticulous attention to detail and their ability to capture the essence of the original texts.

Salvatore Quasimodo's poetry continues to be celebrated for its lyrical intensity, poignant imagery, and profound reflections on the human condition. His work remains an important part of Italian literary history, firmly establishing his place as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

An exact poetic duplication of a man is for the poet a negat

An exact poetic duplication of a man is for the poet a negation of the earth, an impossibility of being, even though his greatest desire is to speak to many men, to unite with them by means of harmonious verses about the truths of the mind or of things.

Salvatore Quasimodo

Men Truth Man Mind Impossibility

Thus, the poet's word is beginning to strike forcefully upon

Thus, the poet's word is beginning to strike forcefully upon the hearts of all men, while absolute men of letters think that they alone live in the real world.

Salvatore Quasimodo

Alone

He passes from lyric to epic poetry in order to speak about

He passes from lyric to epic poetry in order to speak about the world and the torment in the world through man, rationally and emotionally. The poet then becomes a danger.

Salvatore Quasimodo

Poetry

Religious poetry, civic poetry, lyric or dramatic poetry are

Religious poetry, civic poetry, lyric or dramatic poetry are all categories of man's expression which are valid only if the endorsement of formal content is valid.

Salvatore Quasimodo

Poetry

Poetry is also the physical self of the poet, and it is impo

Poetry is also the physical self of the poet, and it is impossible to separate the poet from his poetry.

Salvatore Quasimodo

Poetry

In opposition to this detachment, he finds an image of man w

In opposition to this detachment, he finds an image of man which contains within itself man's dreams, man's illness, man's redemption from the misery of poverty - poverty which can no longer be for him a sign of the acceptance of life.

Salvatore Quasimodo

Dreams

Poetry is the revelation of a feeling that the poet believes

Poetry is the revelation of a feeling that the poet believes to be interior and personal which the reader recognizes as his own.

Salvatore Quasimodo

Poetry