Artists and Writers
Luigi Pirandello (1867-1936)
Recipient of the 1934 Noble Prize in Literature, and hailed as one of the most influential playwrights of the early twentieth century, Luigi Pirandello is the author of over 400 works of poetry, novels, plays, short stories, and critiques.
Pirandello showed an early interest in writing, studied philology – language and literature – and received a Doctor of Philosophy Degree. He taught and wrote, contributing his works to several publications. An arranged marriage to the daughter of his father’s business associate was an incompatible match, and when both families lost their wealth, Pirandello’s wife suffered severe mental shock. Pirandello began writing for pay, and he was soon successful with his novel, Il Fu Nattia Pascal, (The Late Mattia Pascal).
Many of Pirandello’s works reflect his philosophies of the irony of life, and combine reality and illusion. His most notable plays include known Sei Personaggi in Cerca D’authore (Six Characters in Search of an Author), Cosė č (se vi pare) (Right you are [if you think you are]), and Enrico IV (Henry the Fourth). Pirandello is said to have influenced the writing of Samuel Beckett, Eugene O'Neill, and Edward Albee, among many others.
Links:
Biography and Works of Luigi Pirandello
Summary of Six Characters in Search of an Author
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Written by Janice Mancuso
