In this new edition Musa views Dante's intention as one of cruel and comic commentary on the shallowness and self-pity of his protagonist, who only occasionally glimpses the true nature of love.

". . . the explication de texte which accompanies [Musa's] translation is instructively novel, always admirable. . . . This present work offers English readers a lengthy appraisal which should figure in future scholarly discussions." --Choice