In Calbian studies, the research and criticism of the Odes have until today primarily followed a Hellenocentric direction. The overwhelming majority of scholars attribute to Andreas Calvos a remarkable breadth and quality of knowledge and utilization of ancient Greek literature and unparalleled literary depth, while interpreting his frequent deviation from the Greek language in terms of word meanings and grammatical and syntactical rules as an expression of poetic boldness.
This book challenges the prevailing notion and establishes a new foundation for research regarding Calvos's language, poetics, and literary performances. The identification of a large number of Italianisms in the language of the Zakynthian poet, the verification of his Italian models, and the highlighting of serious weaknesses in his linguistic and literary training substantiate the book's central assertion, that Calvos's poetry develops a primary intertextual dialogue only with Italian poetry, through which ancient Greek and Latin literature is assimilated.
Approaching the Odes from this perspective does not diminish their significance and aesthetic value, but indicates the need to redirect research concerning the sources and conditions of their creation. Because, the more we know about this poetry, the better we understand it.
