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Petrarca 1304 - 1374 (70)

Man has no greater enemy than himself.


QUOTES

Canzoniere



Francesco Petrarca, commonly known as Petrarch (1304-1374), was a prominent Italian poet, scholar, and humanist. He was born on July 20, 1304, in Arezzo, Tuscany, which was part of the Papal States at the time. He is considered one of the leading figures of the Italian Renaissance and is often referred to as the "Father of Humanism."

Petrarch was born into a well-educated family, his father was a notary. Following his father's wishes, he pursued legal studies, first in Montpellier, France, and later in Bologna, Italy. However, he soon discovered his true passion for literature and classical studies, leading him to abandon a legal career and devote himself to poetry and scholarly pursuits.

One of the defining moments in Petrarch's life was on April 6, 1327, when he first laid eyes on Laura, a woman he saw in the church of Sainte-Claire d'Avignon. Laura became his unrequited love and the inspiration for his poetic works, particularly the collection of sonnets and songs known as the "Canzoniere" or "Rime Sparse."

Petrarch's writing was significant in the development of the Italian language, as he not only wrote in Latin but also in the vernacular Tuscan dialect, which later evolved into modern Italian. In addition to his poetry, Petrarch was a dedicated scholar and avid collector of classical manuscripts. He sought out and copied many ancient Roman and Greek texts, contributing to the revival of classical learning during the Renaissance. His intellectual pursuits extended beyond literature, to include philosophical and political thought. He advocated for a revival of Roman values, the unification of Italy, and the importance of democratic governance.

In 1341, Petrarch was crowned as a poet laureate in Rome, cementing his reputation as a leading literary figure of his era. On July 18, 1374, Petrarch passed away in Arquà Petrarca; he was found dead in his office, leaning on an open book.