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John Adams

John Adams (1735-1826) served as the second President of the United States. His correspondence with Thomas Jefferson is a significant source for many of the middle cantos.

The Boss, Muss

Refer to Benito Mussolini.

Confucius

Refer to Kung Futse.

Isotta degli Atti

Isotta degli Atti (circa 1430-1470) was the mistress and later the third wife of Sigismondo Malatesta. His affection for her is evident throughout the Tempio Malatestiano, where their initials S and I are intertwined.

Kung Futse

Confucius (551-479 B.C.) serves as the moral foundation of The Cantos. Ezra Pound evaluates Western moral philosophies, particularly those of Aristotle, against Confucian principles and finds the former lacking. A crucial tenet of Confucius for Pound's work is the emphasis on precise language; Pound detested and feared vague language use, and The Pisan Cantos reflect his remorse for not adhering to this principle in his wartime broadcasts.

Ixotta

Refer to Isotta degli Atti.

Thomas Jefferson

The third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) advocated for agrarian democracy and opposed centralized banking.

Sigismondo Malatesta

Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta (1417-1468) ruled the Italian city of Rimini and was a renowned "condottiere," or Renaissance courtier. By age 13, he was leading his troops in battle against Papal forces—and winning. These early military experiences prefaced a turbulent life where Malatesta clashed with Popes Pius II and Paul II. Despite these conflicts, he maintained his power and established a court in Rimini. For Pound, this court exemplified enlightened governance, as it attracted artists like Agostino di Duccio and Piero della Francesca to decorate the church of San Francesco, also known as the Tempio Malatestiano.

Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini (1883-1945), leader of the Fascist party and Italian dictator, was a contemporary and idol of Ezra Pound. In 1933, Pound met Mussolini after sending him an economic proposal and felt he perceived Mussolini's intelligence during their brief meeting. Pound recounts this encounter in Canto 41. Mussolini reappears in Canto 74, the first of the Pisan series, described with his mistress Clara, hung "by the heels at Milano." Following the collapse of the Italian fascist state, the Nazis moved Mussolini to Salo in northern Italy to establish a puppet regime. As Allied forces advanced, Italian partisans captured Mussolini, executed him, and displayed his body in Milan's main square.

Siggy

Refer to Sigismondo Malatesta.

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