Born in Reggio Emilia in 1474, Ariosto grew up in Ferrara. He was probably given grammar lessons in Latin by Luca Ripa, a humanist who attended the famous local school run by the descendants of Guarino Veronese. This elementary instruction prepared him for the study of Latin literature and philosophy at the University of Ferrara. Gregorio da Spoleto, a private tutor who instructed Ariosto in the 1490s, is the individual most responsible for transforming him into a Neo-Latin poet. In 1495, Ariosto delivered the inaugural oration in verse for the academic year at the university, choosing as his theme the praise of learning (“
De laudibus sophiae”). His earliest surviving letter (9 January 1498), written in Latin, documents his participation in a broader humanistic culture beyond the…
1360 words
Citation: Looney, Dennis. "Carmina". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 18 September 2020 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=38868, accessed 21 November 2024.]
