Ludovico Ariosto | |
|---|---|
 Ariosto, detail of votive painting Madonna with Saints Joseph, John, Catherine, Louis of Toulouse and Lodovico Ariosto by Vincenzo Catena, 1512 | |
| Born | 8 September 1474 Reggio Emilia, Duchy of Modena and Reggio |
| Died | 6 July 1533 (aged 58) Ferrara, Duchy of Ferrara |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Language | Italian |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Period | Renaissance |
| Genre | Epic poetry |
| Subject | Chivalry |
| Literary movement | Renaissance literature |
| Notable works | Satire, Commedie Orlando Furioso |
| Signature | |
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Ludovico Ariosto (/ɑːriˈɒstoʊ/;[1] Italian: [ludoˈviːko aˈrjɔsto, - ariˈɔsto]; 8 September 1474 – 6 July 1533) was an Italian poet. He is best known as the author of the romance epic Orlando Furioso (1516). The poem, a continuation of Matteo Maria Boiardo's Orlando Innamorato, describes the adventures of Charlemagne, Orlando, and the Franks as they battle against the Saracens with diversions into many sideplots. The poem is transformed into a satire of the chivalric tradition.[2] Ariosto composed the poem in the ottava rima rhyme scheme and introduced narrative commentary throughout the work.
Ariosto also coined the term "humanism" (in Italian, umanesimo)[3] for choosing to focus upon the strengths and potential of humanity, rather than only upon its role as subordinate to God. This led to Renaissance humanism.
- ^ "Ariosto". Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary.
- ^ Oxford illustrated encyclopedia. Judge, Harry George., Toyne, Anthony. Oxford [England]: Oxford University Press. 1985–1993. p. 21. ISBN 0-19-869129-7. OCLC 11814265.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Humanist". Etymology Online.
1580s, 'student of the classical humanities', from Middle French humaniste (16c.), formed on model of Italian umanista 'student of human affairs or human nature', coined by Italian poet Lodovicio Ariosto (1474–1533), from Latin humanus 'human' (see human; also see humanism). Philosophical sense is from 1903.