Author: William Stewart Rose

Matteo Maria Boiardo (1440/1441 – December 20, 1494) was an Italian Renaissance poet renowned for his epic poem “Orlando Innamorato” (“Orlando in Love”), which combines the medieval legends of Charlemagne and Arthurian romance. Boiardo was born into an aristocratic family in Scandiano, in the region of Emilia. He spent much of his life in the service of the Este family in Ferrara, holding positions of esteem and responsibility while cultivating his literary interests. Influenced by the likes of classical authors Virgil and Ovid, as well as his contemporaries including Pulci and Ariosto, Boiardo”s work served as a transition point between the chivalric literature of the Middle Ages and the more nuanced Renaissance outlook. “Orlando Innamorato” is noted for its rich fusion of fantastical elements with the chivalric code, exploring themes of love and honor in a vivid, imaginative narrative. Its discontinuation due to Boiardo”s death left its mark on Italian literature, prompting poets like Ludovico Ariosto to compose continuations and adaptations, such as “Orlando Furioso.” Boiardo”s literary style is characterized by its vibrant character portrayals, interweaving subplots, and a synthesis of the real and the enchanted. His work is a significant contribution to the tradition of epic romance, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of epic poetry and influencing generations of writers thereafter.