Torquato Tasso

Torquato Tasso was born to Bernardo Tasso and Porzia de' Rossi in Sorrento, a town on the Amalfi Coast.

Tasso begins his education at the University of Naples, where he studies under the tutelage of his father, Bernardo Tasso, a poet and courtier.

Tasso and his father move to Rome, where Bernardo Tasso is employed by Cardinal Bernardo Clesio, allowing Tasso to experience the cultural richness of the city.

Tasso enrolls at the University of Padua to study law, but his true passion lies in poetry and literature, which he pursues alongside his formal education.

Tasso publishes his first collection of poems, including 'Rime' and 'Le Sette Giornate,' which gain him recognition and praise among literary circles.

Tasso becomes a court poet in Ferrara, where he is patronized by the Este family. He writes and performs poetry, further enhancing his reputation.

Tasso begins work on his most famous epic poem, 'Jerusalem Delivered' (Gerusalemme Liberata), which will take him several years to complete.

Tasso completes 'Jerusalem Delivered,' an epic poem that recounts the First Crusade and the Christian siege of Jerusalem. It becomes a masterpiece of Italian literature.

Tasso's mental health begins to decline, leading to periods of paranoia and erratic behavior, which affect his relationships and career.

Tasso is confined to St. Anne's Asylum in Ferrara due to his mental health issues, where he remains for seven years, continuing to write and reflect.

While still in confinement, Tasso completes and publishes 'Aminta,' a pastoral drama that explores themes of love and nature, further solidifying his literary legacy.

Tasso is released from St. Anne's Asylum and begins to travel, visiting various courts and cities, including Florence and Rome, to promote his works.

Tasso travels to Florence and Venice, where he is welcomed by literary circles and continues to refine his works, including 'Jerusalem Conquered.'

Tasso publishes 'Discourses on the Heroic Poem,' a theoretical work that discusses the principles of epic poetry and his own artistic philosophy.

Tasso returns to Ferrara, where he is welcomed by the Este family and continues to work on his literary projects, including revisions to 'Jerusalem Delivered.'

Tasso is named Poet Laureate of Rome, a prestigious honor that recognizes his significant contributions to Italian literature and his epic poetry.

Torquato Tasso dies in Rome, just days before he was to be crowned Poet Laureate. His legacy as one of the greatest Italian poets endures.