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Ugo Betti Edit Profile

judge writer

Ugo Betti was an Italian judge, better known as an author. He is considered by many the greatest Italian playwright next to Pirandello.

Background

Ugo Betti was born on February 4, 1892 in Camerino, Italy. He was the son of Tullio Betti.

Education

He studied law in Parma at the time when World War I broke out, and he volunteered as a soldier.

Career

After the war, Betty became a judge. Writing in his spare time, he published his first collection of poems in 1922. They, called "Il re pensieroso" ("Thoughtful King"), were written when he was in German captivity from 1917 to 1918. The first song of La Padron was the first performed in 1927, and the success of the game made him completely devote himself to the theater. In 1931, he moved from Parma to Rome. After the Second World War, he was accused of fascism, but he was released from all charges. In recent years, he worked in the library of the Ministry of Justice. In total, he wrote 27 plays, most highly evaluated in the last period of his career, from 1940 until his death.

Achievements

  • Ugo Betty is considered by many the greatest Italian playwright next to Pirandello.

    His best-known play is probably Corruzione al Palazzo di Giustizia (Corruption in the Palace of Justice).

Views

Most of Betty's plays are tragedies and reflect his lifelong interest in moral issues. His works explore the nature of evil, the existential guilt experienced by his protagonists, and the theme of redemption.

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

  • "Certainly, few writers in the twentieth century have faced greater moral problems more directly, decisively and creatively than Betty."

Connections

Father:
Tullio Betti

Brother:
Emilio Betti