
The Consolation of Philosophy
Harvard University Press
Published on 1. September 2008
Book
Hardback
238 pages
978-0-674-03105-0 (ISBN)
Description
In this highly praised new translation of Boethius' "The Consolation of Philosophy", David R. Slavitt presents a graceful, accessible, and modern version for both longtime admirers of one of the great masterpieces of philosophical literature and those encountering it for the first time. Slavitt preserves the distinction between the alternating verse and prose sections in the Latin original, allowing us to appreciate the Menippian parallels between the discourses of literary and logical inquiry. His prose translations are lively and colloquial, conveying the argumentative, occasionally bantering tone of the original, while his verse translations restore the beauty and power of Boethius' poetry. The result is a major contribution to the art of translation.Those less familiar with Consolation may remember it was written under a death sentence. Boethius (c. 480-524), an Imperial official under Theodoric, Ostrogoth ruler of Rome, found himself, in a time of political paranoia, denounced, arrested, and then executed two years later without a trial.
Composed while its author was imprisoned, cut off from family and friends, it remains one of Western literature's most eloquent meditations on the transitory nature of earthly belongings, and the superiority of things of the mind. In an artful combination of verse and prose, Slavitt captures the energy and passion of the original. And in an introduction intended for the general reader, Seth Lerer places Boethius' life and achievement in context.
Composed while its author was imprisoned, cut off from family and friends, it remains one of Western literature's most eloquent meditations on the transitory nature of earthly belongings, and the superiority of things of the mind. In an artful combination of verse and prose, Slavitt captures the energy and passion of the original. And in an introduction intended for the general reader, Seth Lerer places Boethius' life and achievement in context.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge, Mass
United States
Dimensions
Height: 184 mm
Width: 114 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-674-03105-0 (9780674031050)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius
The Consolation of Philosophy
E-Book
07/2009
Harvard University Press
€49.99
Available for download
Persons
David R. Slavitt is a poet and the translator of more than eighty works of fiction, poetry, and drama. Seth Lerer is Professor of English and Comparative Literature and the Avalon Foundation Professor in the Humanities at Stanford University.