Cavalcanti, Guido (c. 1255–1300)

Italian poet Guido Cavalcanti. The first of the Tuscan lyric poets whose style was called by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) the dolce stil nuovo, he wrote in a graceful style about graceful feelings. After becoming caught up in the political divisions of Florence, Italy, Cavalcanti was banished, and lost the support of his friend Dante.

Italian poet. A Florentine and friend of Dante, he was a leading exponent of the dolce stil nuovo (sweet new style). His ‘Donna mi prega/A Lady Asks Me’ is a philosophical poem about love, and he also wrote sonnets and ballate or ballads. His favourite theme was the anguish of love.

Cavalcanti married Beatrice, daughter of Farinata Uberti, head of the Ghibelline faction in Florence (see Guelph and Ghibelline). When the leaders of both Guelphs and Ghibellines were driven out by the rulers of Florence, he was banished to Sarzana and returned to Florence only to die.

English translators include the poets D G Rossetti and Ezra Pound.