Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- In what ways do the form and meter affect your understanding of the poem?
- What type of language does Petrarch use to describe his beloved?
- Why does Petrarch fantasize about his death here? What could he possibly gain by getting his wish?
- What role does memory play in Canzone126?
- How does Petrarch use nature in this poem?
- Why is there so much time travel in this work? That is to say, why does Petrarch move from past to present to future and then back to the present again?
- Why does Petrarch start off by addressing the river?
- What is the purpose of the envoi or congedo in "Chiare, fresche et dolci acque"?
- What happens to Petrarch when he sees Laura? Why is this such a problem for him in his present time frame?
- What do we know about Laura after reading this poem? How about the poet?