right|thumb|Cover of the third edition of Marin Držić's Pjesni, titled Tirena comedia Marina Darxichia, in Venice 1630, containing Držić's Petrarchist poetry and versified plays.

right|thumb|Cover page of the [[Šibenik copy of Marin Držić's Hekuba with the data on company of "Od Bidzara" and the date of performance (29 January 1559).]]

Marin Držić (; also Marino Darza or Marino Darsa; 1508 – 2 May 1567) was a Ragusan writer from Dubrovnik. He is considered to be one of the finest Renaissance playwrights and prose writers of Croatian literature.

Life

Držić was born into a large and affluent family. He had six sisters and five brothers.

He was trained and ordained as a priest in Dubrovnik. Marin's uncle was another famous author Džore Držić. After being ordained in 1526, Držić was sent in 1538 to Siena in Tuscany to study the Church Canon Law, where his academic results were average. The Croatian Parliament also declared 2008 the Year of Marin Držić, as it is the 500th anniversary of his birth. An avenue in Zagreb is named after him. In Draškovićeva street (centre of Zagreb) there is a scenical stage named after Marin's nickname Vidra. Nicknames are given for various reasons. In Croatian the word vidra can also refer to a person who is perfidious and resourceful.

See also

  • Libertas (film)

References

  • Marin Držić Museum