SOURCE: Praz, Mario. “Giosue Carducci As a Romantic.” University of Toronto Quarterly 5 (1935): 176-96.

In the following article, Praz maintains that though Carducci scorned romanticism, his poetry shows romantic tendencies.

Giosue Carducci was born at Valdicastello, in the district of Pietrasanta in Versilia, on July 27, 1835. The poet's centenary has been celebrated in Italy with speeches and articles, and has seen the publication of the first volumes of the National Edition of his works. The year 1935 was indeed an anno carducciano for Italy, and such it was thanks to one aspect, certainly the most typical of this poet, which makes him popular in Italy's present hour.

This aspect may be summed up in two words: the romanità and the sanity of Carducci. I have had the opportunity of listening to several commemorations by Italians of different ages, and whether they were senior academicians such as Ugo Ojetti,¹ or public figures...