“I never was, and never will be [...] anyone’s master” Pietro Giordani and the fabulous young man

This essay explores Leopardi’s personal and intellectual connection with Giordani. Hailed by Giordani as the restorer of Italy’s past dignity, the young poet joins his mentor in the battle against the Northern European romantic vogue; a rebellion which leads to Leopardi’s very personal translation of romantic ideals. By analysing poems and other sources, we demonstrate how Giordani’s classicist lesson, far from being forgotten, re-emerges in the fragmented style of Leopardi’s last anti-idylls.