Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1553)

### Born Place

Reggio Emilia, which was then part of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio, now Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

### Education

Initially studied law at the University of Ferrara, but after five years he was allowed to follow his inclination and dedicate himself to literary studies.

### Best Known For

Author of the epic poem Orlando Furioso (Mad Roland)

### Residence

Spent most of his life in Ferrara, Italy.

## About

Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1533) was an Italian poet and playwright who lived during the Renaissance period. He is best known for his epic poem Orlando Furioso (Mad Roland), which was widely successful during his lifetime and continued to inspire artists and composers well into the 1700s. Ariosto was born in Reggio nell'Emilia, where his father was commander of the citadel. He was the oldest of ten children and was seen as the successor to the patriarchal position of his family. Ariosto received a humanist education as a child and studied Latin literature and philosophy at the University of Ferrara. His father, an officer in service to the ruling Este family, wanted Ariosto to have a career in government, so he reluctantly enrolled in law school. However, when his father died in 1500, Ariosto dropped out of school to support his family. He worked for many years as an administrator and diplomat for a church official who was part of the Este family. In 1517, Ariosto published the first version of Orlando Furioso, which he continued to revise and expand until his death. Despite his literary accomplishments, Ariosto was compelled to forgo his literary occupations and take care of his family after the death of his father. He managed to write some comedies in prose as well as lyrical pieces, some of which attracted the notice of patrons. In 1509, Duke Alfonso asked Ippolito to send him “quella gionta fece Lud.co. Ariosto a lo Innamoramento de Orlando” (“the addition that Ludovico Ariosto made to the Innamoramento de Orlando”). In July 1512, Ariosto wrote to Isabella d'Este's husband, the Marquis of Mantua, agreeing to dedicate his poem to the marquis.

## Early Life and Education

Ludovico Ariosto was born on September 8, 1474, in Reggio Emilia, Italy, to Daria Malaguzzi and Niccolò Ariosto. He was the oldest of ten children and was initially compelled by his father to study law at the University of Ferrara in 1489. However, he was allowed to follow his inclination and dedicate himself to literary studies after five years. Ariosto showed an inclination toward poetry from an early age, but his father intended him for a legal career. After the death of his father, Ludovico Ariosto was compelled to forgo his literary occupations and take care of his family, whose affairs were in disarray. Despite his family obligations, Ariosto managed to write some comedies in prose as well as lyrical pieces.

## Relationships

Ludovico Ariosto secretly married Alessandra Benucci, the wife of the Ferrarese Tito Strozzi, around 1528. They continued to live separately so that Alessandra could maintain her inheritance and Ludovico his ecclesiastical benefits. Ariosto had a son and a brother named Gabriele. In 1517, the Duke of Ferrara accepted Ariosto into his court. Ariosto worked for many years as an administrator and diplomat for a church official who was part of the Este family. Ariosto's most important and influential work is Orlando Furioso, a long narrative poem that explores many Renaissance themes, including love and war.

## Filmography

Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1553) was a poet and playwright who lived during the Renaissance period. He is best known for his epic poem Orlando Furioso, which was wildly successful in his lifetime and inspired artists and composers well into the 1700s. There are a few adaptations of his work, including a TV mini-series called Orlando Furioso (1974) and a video game called The Madness of Roland (1992)4. Ariosto also wrote some comedies in prose as well as lyrical pieces. He received patronage from Duke Alfonso of Ferrara, who was a great supporter of the arts. In his later years, Ariosto devoted himself to plays and other literary projects.

## Awards and legacy

Ludovico Ariosto's legacy includes his epic poem Orlando Furioso, which is considered one of the finest expressions of the literary tendencies and spiritual attitudes of the Italian Renaissance. The poem was wildly successful during Ariosto's lifetime and inspired artists and musical composers well into the 1700s. Ariosto also gained recognition for his critical view of humanism. He received patronage from Duke Alfonso of Ferrara, who was a great supporter of the arts, and during his years of service to the Este, Ariosto wrote poetry, including Orlando Furioso. Ariosto's works have been refashioned in musical venues, such as madrigals and melodrama. Ariosto's early modern poetics and legacy have been studied in Ariosto in the Machine Age.

## Litigation

Ludovico Ariosto was involved in a bitter legal battle against the Este family from the death of his cousin Rinaldo Ariosto in 1519 until his own death in 1533. The Este family was the ruling family of Ferrara, and Ariosto had been in their service since 1517. Despite his long-standing relationship with the Este family, Ariosto never enjoyed close ties with his new patron, Duke Alfonso. The legal battle was over a piece of land that Ariosto claimed belonged to him, but the Este family disputed his claim. The dispute was not resolved during Ariosto's lifetime.

## Quotes

Some quotes by Ludovico Ariosto are available on wist.info and goodreads.com. One of his quotes is “For whom, when circling waters round him spread / And menace present death, impores not aid?”. Another quote is “Nature made him, and then broke the mold”. Ariosto also said, “Ah, how I rue that what I could have done I did not do!”. These quotes show Ariosto's poetic style and his focus on human nature and emotions.

## See also

For more information on Ludovico Ariosto (1474-1553), one can refer to various sources. The Columbia Academic Commons provides a detailed biography of Ariosto, including his life, works, and literary contributions. The University of Pittsburgh's Classics department has a page dedicated to Ariosto's Latin poetry. Wikipedia has an article on Ariosto, which includes his biography, works, and external links to his works. Poetry in Translation has a page dedicated to Ariosto's epic poem Orlando Furioso, which includes a new English translation of the poem. Finally, Encyclopedia.com has an article on Ariosto, which includes his biography, education, career, and important works.