Jerusalem Delivered

Torquato Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered is one of the great epics of the Renaissance, a sweeping tale of the First Crusade that blends history, romance, and magic. This edition presents Edward Fairfax's 1600 translation, in modernized spelling, bringing to life the siege of Jerusalem, the valor of Christian knights, and the enchantments of the sorceress Armida. At its heart is the struggle between faith and desire, as heroes like Rinaldo and Tancred are tested by love, pride, and divine will. Tasso's poem offers battles, enchantments, tragic love and a meditation on redemption.

Readers of Homer, Virgil and Spenser, and anyone interested in the literature of the Crusades, will find much here. Fairfax's translation preserves the musicality of Tasso's ottava rima and captures the spirit of the original.

This edition contains the complete text of Fairfax's translation, a new introduction, a character guide, a summary, themes, a glossary, and discussion questions.