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Giovanni Battista Guarini (1538–1612)
Guarini, Giovanni Battista (gwär-ē’nē). An Italian poet; born in Ferrara, Dec. 10, 1538; died at Venice, Oct. 7, 1612. He was a professor of literature and philosophy at the University of Ferrara. As a poet, his pastoral ‘The Faithful Shepherd’ (Il Pastor Fido), in the style of Tasso’s ‘Aminta,’ is the jewel in his crown. The theme is on the yearly sacrifice of a maiden to Diana by the Arcadians, and offers opportunities for passages of offensive sensuality as well as of exquisite beauty. ‘Idropica,’ a five-act comedy; ‘Poems,’ a small collection of verse; and some miscellaneous writings, complete his productions.