Vittorio Alfieri
Vittorio Alfieri
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Vittorio Alfieri was born as Domenico Vittorio Alfieri, but is commonly known as Count Vittorio Alfieri.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: 1 January 1749, Dronero, Kingdom of Sardinia (now Italy)
Died: 27 October 1803, Florence, Republic of Florence
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Vittorio Alfieri was an Italian poet, playwright, and dramatist. He is considered one of the greatest figures in Italian literature.
Early Life
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Born into a noble family in Dronero, Kingdom of Sardinia (now Italy), Vittorio Alfieri's early life was marked by tragedy. His father died when he was just three years old, and his mother remarried when he was eight. Despite these challenges, Alfieri showed a natural talent for poetry from an early age.
Education
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Alfieri received a classical education in Turin and later at the University of Pavia, where he developed a passion for literature and theater. His time at university was marked by intellectual curiosity and a desire to challenge traditional norms.
Major Accomplishments
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Poetic innovations: Alfieri is known for introducing new forms and styles into Italian poetry, influencing generations of poets.
Dramatic works: He wrote over 20 plays, including tragedies that explored themes of love, power, and mortality.
Traveling writer: Alfieri's travels took him to Paris, Rome, and Florence, where he met famous intellectuals and artists.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of his most notable works include:
_La Griselda_ (1768), an epic poem inspired by Boccaccio's _Il Decameron_
_Mirra_ (1782), a tragic play that explores the complexities of human relationships
His dramatic work, _Saetta_, was written in exile in Paris
Impact and Legacy
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Alfieri's impact on Italian literature is profound. He helped to create a new style of poetry and drama, influencing writers like Ugo Foscolo and Giacomo Leopardi. His works continue to be performed and studied around the world.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Vittorio Alfieri's writings are remembered for their passionate expression of human emotions, his innovative style, and the depth of his insights into the human condition. His poetic and dramatic works capture the imagination and challenge readers to reflect on life, love, and mortality.
As a writer, he defied conventions and pushed boundaries in both form and content. His commitment to art and intellectual freedom has made him an enduring figure in Italian literature.
Quotes by Vittorio Alfieri
The guilty is he who meditates a crime; the punishment is his who lays the plot.
Thou knowest not the endless artifices of a court. Invented crimes are often there alleged; but real ones, and those especially, which may offend his pride, are oftentimes not to a king divulged.
If ardent passions push not men on to lofty enterprise, calm wisdom never will accomplish it.