Guido Guinizelli facts for kids

Guido Guinizelli (born around 1225, died around 1276) was a famous Italian poet. He is known as the "father" of a new style of poetry called the Dolce Stil Novo. This means he was the first to write in this special way. Guido Guinizelli was born in Bologna, Italy, and later had to leave the city. People believe he died in Verona, Italy.

Guido Guinizelli's Poetry

Guinizelli's poetry often explored the idea of love. He wrote about both spiritual love and earthly love, and he looked deeply into human feelings. One of his most important poems is Al cor gentil rempaira sempre Amore, which means "Love always returns to a gentle heart." Some people think this was the most important love song of the 1200s. Other famous poems by him include Io voglio del ver la mia donna laudare and Vedut'ho la lucente stella Diana.

The main ideas of the Dolce Stil Novo style can be seen in Guinizelli's poem Al cor gentil rempaira sempre Amore. These ideas include describing women as having angelic beauty. It also compares noble qualities to the sun. The style often uses special phrases like cor gentil (gentle heart) and Amore (Love).

Guido Guinizelli in Dante's Divine Comedy

Guido Guinizelli appears twice in Dante Alighieri's famous poem, Purgatorio.

Purgatorio Canto XI

First, Guinizelli is mentioned briefly in Purgatorio Canto XI. In this part, Dante meets a great Italian artist named Oderisi da Gubbio. They are talking about how fame does not last forever. Oderisi mentions Guido Guinizelli and another poet, Guido Cavalcanti.

Purgatorio Canto XXVI

Later, in Purgatorio Canto XXVI, Dante meets Guido Guinizelli himself. Like other spirits in this part of the poem, Guido is surrounded by flames. This is to show that he is making up for his strong feelings and passions when he was alive. In this section, Dante talks about how important Guinizelli was to Italian poetry and the new style of Dolce Stil Novo.

See also

In Spanish: Guido Guinizelli para niños