Giovanni Meli
Encyclopedia
Giovanni Meli was a Palermitan Sicilian poet and man of letters. After studying philosophy
and medicine
he worked as a doctor in Cinisi
in the province of Palermo
. It was during this early period of his life that he discovered the bucolic poets and the poetic worth of his native Sicilian
which he used thereafter in all of his literary works.
was inspired by Arcadia by Jacopo Sannazaro
. It was written while he was still working as a doctor in Cinisi
.
He returned to Palermo soon after, already widely known as a scientist and poet. He dedicated the rest of his life to both collecting works of Sicilian poetry, but most importantly, writing and publishing his own works. His Poesi siciliani in
five volumes was published in 1787, and an edition in six volumes was published in 1814.
Besides La bucolica, these collections also contain examples of his satirical verse, such as: La fata galanti (The courteous fairy, 1762); Don Chisciotti e Sanciu Panza (a parody inspired by Cervantes
' more celebrated work, 1785-1787); Favuli murali
(moral fables, 1810-1814; Origini dû munnu (the origin of the world, 1768); Elegii (elegies) e Canzunetti (little songs).
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
he worked as a doctor in Cinisi
Cinisi
Cinisi is a town and a comune in the province of Palermo in Sicily. As of 2007 it had an estimated population of 12,100.-Geography:The town is part of the Palermo metropolitan area, borders with the municipalities of Carini and Terrasini and count the civil parish of Punta Raisi, seat of Palermo...
in the province of Palermo
Province of Palermo
The Province of Palermo is a province in the autonomous region of Sicily, a major island in Southern Italy. Its capital is the city of Palermo. The Province of Palermo has 82 comuni , 1,239,272 inhabitants, and is 4,992 km² .-External links:...
. It was during this early period of his life that he discovered the bucolic poets and the poetic worth of his native Sicilian
Sicilian language
Sicilian is a Romance language. Its dialects make up the Extreme-Southern Italian language group, which are spoken on the island of Sicily and its satellite islands; in southern and central Calabria ; in the southern parts of Apulia, the Salento ; and Campania, on the Italian mainland, where it is...
which he used thereafter in all of his literary works.
Works
His first published piece, La Bucolica (1766-1772),was inspired by Arcadia by Jacopo Sannazaro
Jacopo Sannazaro
Jacopo Sannazaro was an Italian poet, humanist and epigrammist from Naples.He wrote easily in Latin, in Italian and in Neapolitan, but is best remembered for his humanist classic Arcadia, a masterwork that illustrated the possibilities of poetical prose in Italian, and instituted the theme of...
. It was written while he was still working as a doctor in Cinisi
Cinisi
Cinisi is a town and a comune in the province of Palermo in Sicily. As of 2007 it had an estimated population of 12,100.-Geography:The town is part of the Palermo metropolitan area, borders with the municipalities of Carini and Terrasini and count the civil parish of Punta Raisi, seat of Palermo...
.
He returned to Palermo soon after, already widely known as a scientist and poet. He dedicated the rest of his life to both collecting works of Sicilian poetry, but most importantly, writing and publishing his own works. His Poesi siciliani in
five volumes was published in 1787, and an edition in six volumes was published in 1814.
Besides La bucolica, these collections also contain examples of his satirical verse, such as: La fata galanti (The courteous fairy, 1762); Don Chisciotti e Sanciu Panza (a parody inspired by Cervantes
Cervantes
-People:*Alfonso J. Cervantes , mayor of St. Louis, Missouri*Francisco Cervantes de Salazar, 16th-century man of letters*Ignacio Cervantes, Cuban composer*Jorge Cervantes, a world-renowned expert on indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse cannabis cultivation...
' more celebrated work, 1785-1787); Favuli murali
(moral fables, 1810-1814; Origini dû munnu (the origin of the world, 1768); Elegii (elegies) e Canzunetti (little songs).
Don Chisciotti e Sanciu Panza (Cantu quintu)
(~1790)| Sicilian | English |
|---|---|
| Stracanciatu di notti soli jiri; | Disguised he roams at night alone; |
| S'ammuccia ntra purtuni e cantuneri; | Hiding in any nook and cranny; |
| cu vacabunni ci mustra piaciri; | he enjoys the company of vagabonds; |
| poi lu so sbiu sunnu li sumeri, | however, donkeys are his real diversion, |
| li pruteggi e li pigghia a ben vuliri, | he protects them and looks after all their needs, |
| li tratta pri parenti e amici veri; | treating them as real family and friends; |
| siccomu ancora è n'amicu viraci | since he remains a true friend |
| di li bizzarri, capricciusi e audaci. | of all who are bizarre, capricious and bold. |