Francesco Petrarca Italian poet Date of Birth: 20.07.1304 Country: Italy

Biography of Francesco Petrarca

Francesco Petrarca, an Italian poet, was born on July 20, 1304, in the city of Arezzo, Italy. He came from a family of notaries and was expected to continue his father's profession, but he had little interest in law. Additionally, after his father's death, Petrarca inherited only a manuscript of Cicero according to the will. In need of means to support himself, he became a priest. Settling in Avignon and embracing the church, Petrarca first met his beloved Laura, to whom he dedicated his famous sonnets. Laura became the object of his adoration and pure platonic love. Although they only met a few times and were not truly acquainted, Petrarca carried this feeling throughout his life. Even after Laura's life was taken by the plague, Petrarca continued to celebrate her for ten more years. Petrarca dedicated his collection of Italian poems, "Canzoniere," to Laura. The book is divided into two parts: "On the life of Madonna Laura" and "On the death of Madonna Laura," written before and after her death, respectively. Unlike other similar lyric poetry (such as Dante's sonnets to Beatrice), Laura's image in Petrarca's poetry is different in that she does not become an ethereal symbol of beauty and perfection. Being the ideal in the poet's eyes, Laura's image remains tangible and real. "Canzoniere" had over two hundred editions published before the beginning of the 17th century. In addition to Italian poetry, Petrarca also wrote a few works in Latin. These include two autobiographies, one of which is a dialogue between the poet and Saint Augustine. In it, Petrarca contrasts his humanistic worldview with medieval scholasticism, affirming the greatness of man and his special place in the world created by God. Francesco Petrarca passed away on July 19, 1374, in the village of Arquà, near Padua, Italy.