This book offers a comprehensive account of the methods and practice of learning modern languages, especially Italian, in late sixteenth and early seventeenth century England. -- .
The book explores the influence of a neglected masterpiece by a renowned Italian poet on various artistic fields from the sixteenth to the late nineteenth centuries. It highlights the connections between the poet's work and the creations of notable figures such as Spenser, Milton, Shakespeare, Daniel, Van Dyck, Poussin, Handel, and Byron, showcasing how this masterpiece shaped literature, visual arts, and music throughout the years.