Early Life and Education
Giacomo Leopardi's early life was shaped by his aristocratic upbringing in Recanati. His mother, Adelaide Antici, was known for her rigid and austere nature, while his father, Count Monaldo, was a literature enthusiast who maintained an extensive library. Between 1808 and 1816, from ages 11 to 18, Leopardi underwent what he called "matto e disperatissimo" madandmostdesperate study, which significantly impacted his health.
Highlight: Leopardi's intense study period was self-described as "mad and most desperate," showing his early dedication to scholarship.
Definition: The transition "dall'erudizione al bello" fromeruditiontobeauty marks Leopardi's evolution from pure scholarship to creative writing.
In 1818, he attempted to escape Recanati but was stopped by his father. His deteriorating eyesight and general health led him to contemplate suicide. By 1822, he was permitted to visit Rome, though the experience disappointed him. He later traveled to Milan, Bologna, Florence wherehemetManzoni, and Pisa, before returning to Recanati in 1828.