Abstract

PHILALETHES, OR THE ʽDANTE KINGʼ JOHANN VON SACHSEN (1801-1873). After a brief historical-biographical presentation of Johann von Sachsen alias Philalethes, this paper takes into consideration the translation activity of the Saxon prince (and then king), who transposed Dante Alighieri’s "Divine Comedy" in German. Particular attention is paid to the paratexts of Philalethes’ work, i.e. the introductions, in-depth analyses, and footnotes. From a methodological point of view, the historical-biographical approach, the theories of cultural studies and the paradigms of cultural transfer between Italy and Germany will be used. Furthermore, the philological and translation aspects adopted by Johann von Sachsen in the creation of his exemplary translation will be considered. The aim of the work is to highlight the precision and philological accuracy of the translation by Philalethes, from which King Johann von Sachsen’s competence and erudition emerge.