De remediis utriusque fortunae
Encyclopedia
De remediis utriusque fortunae is a collection of 253 Latin
dialogues written by the humanist Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374), commonly known as Petrarch
. In 1579 the dialogues were translated into English by the Elizabethan physician Thomas Twyne
(1543–1613) and titled Phisicke Against Fortune, using woodcut illustrations by Hans Weiditz
which were originally made for the 1532 German edition. Petrarch's literary genius helped inform the Italian Renaissance
.
The dialogues, completed towards the end of Petrarch's life, are treasure-chests of wisdom and humour which, despite the passing of six centuries, have not lost their relevance. They display remarkably lucid ideas that are cogently expressed. Drawing on classical sources, Petrarch expounded on refinement in taste and intellect, on finesse and propriety in speech and style. His style pays much homage to the Code of Laws of Hammurabi
, the great ancient leader. George Bush referenced the Petrachan form in his 2004 State of the Union Address
.
The writing is a bouquet of moral philosophy, set out to show how thought and deed can generate happiness on the one hand, or sorrow and disillusionment on the other. In a recurring theme throughout the dialogues, Petrarch advises humility in prosperity and fortitude in adversity.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
dialogues written by the humanist Francesco Petrarca (1304-1374), commonly known as Petrarch
Petrarch
Francesco Petrarca , known in English as Petrarch, was an Italian scholar, poet and one of the earliest humanists. Petrarch is often called the "Father of Humanism"...
. In 1579 the dialogues were translated into English by the Elizabethan physician Thomas Twyne
Thomas Twyne
Thomas Twyne was an Elizabethan translator and a physician of Lewes in Sussex, best known for completing Thomas Phaer's translation of Virgil's Aeneid into English verse after Phaer's death in 1560, and for his 1579 English translation of De remediis utriusque fortunae, a collection of 253 Latin...
(1543–1613) and titled Phisicke Against Fortune, using woodcut illustrations by Hans Weiditz
Hans Weiditz
Hans Weiditz the Younger, Hans Weiditz der Jüngere, Hans Weiditz II , was a German Renaissance artist, also known as The Petrarch Master for his woodcuts illustrating Petrarch's De remediis utriusque fortunae, or Remedies for Both Good and Bad Fortune, or Phisicke Against Fortune...
which were originally made for the 1532 German edition. Petrarch's literary genius helped inform the Italian Renaissance
Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe...
.
The dialogues, completed towards the end of Petrarch's life, are treasure-chests of wisdom and humour which, despite the passing of six centuries, have not lost their relevance. They display remarkably lucid ideas that are cogently expressed. Drawing on classical sources, Petrarch expounded on refinement in taste and intellect, on finesse and propriety in speech and style. His style pays much homage to the Code of Laws of Hammurabi
Hammurabi
Hammurabi Hammurabi Hammurabi (Akkadian from Amorite ʻAmmurāpi, "the kinsman is a healer", from ʻAmmu, "paternal kinsman", and Rāpi, "healer"; (died c...
, the great ancient leader. George Bush referenced the Petrachan form in his 2004 State of the Union Address
2004 State of the Union Address
The 2004 State of the Union Address was a speech delivered by U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday, January 20, 2004.-External links:* , The American Presidency Project, UC Santa Barbara* at C-SPAN...
.
The writing is a bouquet of moral philosophy, set out to show how thought and deed can generate happiness on the one hand, or sorrow and disillusionment on the other. In a recurring theme throughout the dialogues, Petrarch advises humility in prosperity and fortitude in adversity.