La guigliottina a vapore

satire by Giusti

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June 29, 2026

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La guigliottina a vapore ("The Steam Guillotine") is a notable satire written by Giuseppe Giusti in 1833. Giusti was an Italian poet and satirist known for his influential works criticizing Austrian rule during the Risorgimento, the movement for Italian unification.1

The satire humorously suggests that the Chinese invented a steam-powered guillotine, implying a more efficient method for dictators to carry out executions. This work, along with others by Giusti, was initially circulated in manuscript form and printed anonymously outside of Italy due to its political commentary. Giusti's writings are celebrated for their Tuscan wit and lively style, contributing significantly to the nationalistic sentiment of the era.1

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Giuseppe Giusti
…satire, written in 1833, was La guigliottina a vapore (“The Steam Guillotine”), which announced that the Chinese had invented a steam guillotine that would make decapitation much more efficient for dictators. Other satires defended Italy or bemoaned its political and social state.
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…satire, written in 1833, was La guigliottina a vapore (“The Steam Guillotine”), which announced that the Chinese had invented a steam guillotine that would make decapitation much more efficient for dictators. Other satires defended Italy or bemoaned its political and social state.
Read More