Ludovico Ariosto: Biography, Achievements & Lasting Legacy
Who Was Ludovico Ariosto?
Ludovico Ariosto (UK: , US: ; 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 (1516-1532). 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. 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) 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.
Key Facts
- Born: September 8, 1474 in Reggio Emilia, Duchy of Modena and Reggio
- Died: 1533
- Field: Literature
Legacy and Impact
The influence of Ludovico Ariosto extends far beyond his own lifetime. He fundamentally shaped literature and the written word, and his written works and literary innovations remain foundational to this day.
Though he passed away in 1533, his ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
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