A Mythical Lawmaker Myth, Narcissism and aAnxiety of Influencea of Italian Poet Sandro Penna

Abstract

Contemporary fellow writers considered Sandro Penna 1906-1977 a peer and for some critics the Italian lyric is one of the best poets of his generation and a unique literary phenomenon This paper - following Harold Bloom s argument that all strong poets have suffered in one way or another from the anxiety of influence - investigates Sandro Penna s myth of uniqueness started by PieroBigongiari one of the first Italian critics to write a review of Penna s verse acknowledging its originality and uniqueness devoid of any visible influence Around the figure of Sandro Penna aided by his own admirers Saba Montale Pasolini and Natalia Ginzburg the myth of the poet s holiness and pure lyric grace isolated from society and time grew throughout the years nourished by Penna himself and his lifestyle