Episode 04: The Birds of Memnon

The Birds of Memnon narrates the tragic friendship between Achilles and Memnon, the son of the goddess Aurora. The title refers to the legend of Memnon’s loyal warriors, who were turned into birds after the death of their leader, and who are destined to live forever by his tomb.

In this episode, Elena Borelli discusses The Birds of Memnon with Francesca Irene Sensini. The poem starts at minute 16.20.

From Giovanni Pascoli, Convivial Poems. Translated by Elena Borelli & James Ackhurst. New York: Italica Press, 2022. Copyright 2022 by Elena Borelli & James Ackhurst. Used by permission of Italica Press.