The name Straparola is likely a pseudonym derived from the Italian verb straparlare, meaning to talk too much, adopted by a man who navigated the perilous world of sixteenth-century Venetian printing. Born in Caravaggio around 1480, he emerged in Venice as a writer whose collection of narratives would influence the development of the European fairy tale tradition.
Early Literary Activity in Venice
Little is definitively known of Straparola before 1508, the year he appeared in Venice to publish his Opera nova de Zoan Francesco Straparola da Caravazo novamente stampata. This early volume showcased his versatility, containing various forms of verse including strambotti, epistre, and capitoli. He continued to refine his output, and the work saw a reprint in 1515, establishing his presence as a lettered figure within the city.
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Straparola is most recognized for The Facetious Nights, also known as The Pleasant Nights, released in two volumes between 1551 and 1553. The collection mirrors the structure of Boccaccio's Decameron, featuring a frame narrative where aristocrats gather to perform songs and recount seventy-five tales, fables, and enigmas. These volumes contain some of the earliest printed versions of fairy tales in Europe, including stories such as The Pig King and Biancabella and the Snake.
Questions of Authorship and Sources
The collection often incorporated narratives from existing sources, most notably the work of the Neapolitan lawyer Girolamo Morlini. In the dedication of the second volume, Straparola admitted that the stories were not original, framing himself as a collector of tales told by others. Scholars have noted significant stylistic inconsistencies between the two volumes, leading some to suggest that multiple hands may have contributed to the final project.
Final Years and Legacy
The exact date of Straparola's death remains uncertain, though he is generally cited as dying around 1558. The disappearance of his woodcut portrait and specific printer markings from editions produced after 1556 suggests he may have died earlier, possibly during the plague. His works faced later scrutiny, appearing on Indexes of prohibited books between 1580 and 1624, with individual stories like The Tailor's Apprentice suppressed by Church authorities.
Fast facts
- Born: 1480, Caravaggio
- Died: 1558, Venice
- Primary field: Literature
- Language: Italian
- Notable work: The Facetious Nights
- Pseudonym origin: Straparlare (to talk too much)
Questions readers ask
Did Straparola write all the stories in The Facetious Nights?
He admitted in his own dedication that many stories were taken from other authors, such as Girolamo Morlini.
What is a 'rise tale' in his work?
It describes a plot structure where a protagonist moves from poverty to wealth through magic and marriage.
Achievements
- Notable work: The Facetious Nights of Straparola
