Dante Alighieri biography

At the beginning of the course of Italian language

29 April 1265 14 September 1321 Dante Alighieri's life is closely linked to the events of the political life of Florence. At its birth, Florence was about to become the most powerful cities of Central Italy. Starting in 1250, a municipal government consisting of burghers and artisans had put an end to the rule of nobility and two years later were minted the first gold florins that would become the "dollars" of Europe. The conflict between the Guelphs, faithful to the temporal authority of the popes, and the Ghibellines, defenders of the political supremacy of the emperors, became more and more a war between nobles and burghers similar to wars for supremacy between towns or rivals. The birth of Dante, after the expulsion of the Guelphs, the town was for more than five years in the hands of the Ghibellines. In 1266, Florence returned into the hands of the guelfs and the Ghibellines were expelled in turn. At this point, the party of the Guelphs, split into two factions: whites and blacks. Dante Alighieri was born in Florence on 29 April 1265 (the date is presumed, however between May and June) from a family of minor nobility. In 1274, according to the Vita Nuova, was first seen Beatrice (Bice di Folco Portinari) which falls in love immediately head over heels. Dante has about ten when his mother dies Gabriella, the "beautiful mother". In 1283 his father Alighiero di Bellincione merchant, dies and Dante in 17 years became the breadwinner. The philosophical and theological teachings follows young Alighieri Franciscan school (Holy Cross) and Dominicans (Santa Maria Novella). During this period tightens friendships and began a correspondence with the young poets who call themselves «stilnovisti». In Rhymes is the collection of the poetry of Dante, from the Florentine's ongoing youth long literary career, which are not included in any other work. It is in this context that we can find traces of posting aware that followed to first draft of "hell" and "Purgatory", which would lead Dante to false philosophical conceptions, temptations of the flesh and vulgar pleasures. At 20 years old bride Gemma Di Manetto Donati, Member of a secondary branch of a great noble family, with whom he had four sons, Jacopo, Pietro, Giovanni and Antonia. In 1292, two years after the death of Beatrice, he began to write the "new life". Dante is consecrated so very soon completely to poetry by studying philosophy and theology, especially Aristotle and Saint Thomas. Will remain fascinated by the political struggle characteristic of that period and will build all its work around the figure of the Emperor, the myth of a failed drive. However in 1293, following a decree which excluded nobles from the political life of Florence, the young Dante is forced to adhere to the care of his intellectual interests. In 1295 an Ordinance decrees that the nobles riottengano the civic rights, provided that they belong to a Guild. Dante subscribes to that of doctors and pharmacists, the same of librarians, with the mention of "poet". When the fight between the White Guelphs and Black Guelphs became more bitter, Dante takes sides with the party of whites who try to defend the independence of the city opposing hegemonic trends of Boniface VIII 1294 to 1303 Caetani, Pope from December. In 1300 Dante is elected from among the six ' Priori»-keepers of the Executive Branch, the highest magistrates of the Government which he composed la Signoria-that, to mitigate the partisanship of the political struggle, take the difficult decision to stop the fiercest leaders of the two sides. In 1301, Charles de Valois and arrived in Florence just as the party of blacks taking over (supported by the papacy), Dante is called in Rome at the Court of Boniface VIII. Begin the political processes: Dante, accused of corruption, is banned from holding public office and sentenced to pay a heavy fine. As Dante drops, like his friends, to appear before the judges, Dante is sentenced to confiscation of property and "the hangman" If you did find the municipality of Florence. It is thus forced to leave his city with the consciousness of being mocked by Boniface VIII, who had held back in Rome while blacks took power in Florence; Boniface VIII you will gain a prominent place in the group stage of the "hell" of the "Divine Comedy". Starting from 1304 begins with Dante long exile. Since the death of Beatrice to Dante's exile years he devoted himself to the study of philosophy (for him all the profane sciences) and composes poems of love where the style of praise as well as the memory of Beatrice are absent. The center of the speech is no longer Beatrice but «the kind woman", an allegorical description of the philosophy that traces the inner route of Dante to wisdom. Draws up the Convivio (1304-1307), the unfinished treatise composed in the vernacular that becomes a summation of encyclopedic practical knowledge. This work is a synthesis of essays, for those who, because of their training or social status, have no direct access to knowledge. He wanders through cities and courts according to the opportunities that will be offered and will not cease to deepen its culture through different experiences that lives. In 1306, he undertook the drafting of the "Divine Comedy" which will work for a lifetime. When it starts "part for himself, renouncing attempts to return by force in Florence with his friends, becomes aware of his solitude and detaches from the contemporary reality that considers dominated by Vice, injustice, corruption and inequality. In 1308 composed a treatise in Latin on the language and style: the "De vulgari eloquentia" which passes in review the different Italian dialects and proclaims he didn't find "the Panther smelling of bestiaries» medieval seeking including Florentine and its imperfections. Think you have picked up "the insatiable beast in that vulgar that in every city exhales its odor and none finds its Lair". He founded the theory of a vernacular that calls «illustrious», which may not be one of Italian local dialects, but a tongue cleaning work carried out collectively by Italian writers. Is the first poster for the creation of an Italian national literary language. In 1310 with the arrival in Italy of Henry VII of Luxembourg, Holy Roman Emperor, Dante Alighieri hopes the restoration of imperial power, which would enable him to return to Florence, but Henry dies. Dante composed "the monarchy", in Latin, where it states that the universal monarchy is essential to happiness on Earth of men and that the imperial power should not be submissive to the Church. Debate also on the relations between the papacy and the Empire: the Pope has the spiritual power, the Emperor that thunderstorm. Toward 1315, he was offered to return to Florence. His pride considers too humiliating conditions: decline in words that remain a testimony to his human dignity: "isn't this, my father, the way of my return, but if before you and then by others not if you find another that does not derogate to the honor and dignity of Dante, the will to walk slow and not if no such one enters in Florence in Florence I won't go ever. Nor certainly will miss the bread. " In 1319 Dante is invited to Ravenna from Guido Novello da Polenta, Lord of the city; two years later sends it to Venice as Ambassador. Arriving back from Venice Dante is struck by an attack of malaria: dies at 56 years old on the night of 13 and 14 September 1321 in Ravenna, where his tomb still stands today.