Abstract

While considering translated or closely imitated classical texts within his "Canti", this paper focuses on the "contaminatio" technique used by Giacomo Leopardi throughout his 'recueil'. Particular attention will be paid to the poet's re-uses of "Aeneid's Book II" and of Simonides's poems. Conclusions drawn on this analysis will reverberate on the interpretation of "Bruto minore" and of the section "Imitazioni e frammenti".