Francesca da Rimini

The play Francesca da Rimini by Gabriele D'Annunzio dramatizes the tragic love affair of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta. Francesca, daughter of Guido da Polenta, was married for political reasons to Gianciotto Malatesta, known as "the Lame". She fell in love with Gianciotto's brother, Paolo, known as "the Fair". When Gianciotto discovered their affair, he murdered both Paolo and Francesca.1

This tragic story was first immortalized by Dante in his Inferno, where Francesca and Paolo are found in the second circle of Hell, condemned for the sin of lust. D'Annunzio's play is one of many artistic interpretations of their story, which has also inspired operas, paintings, and other literary works. Gabriele D'Annunzio was a prominent Italian writer, poet, and political figure of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.12