Giambattista Basile

Giambattista Basile (1575-1632) was an Italian folklorist and writer, best known for his collection of fairy tales titled "The Pentamerone." Published posthumously in 1634-1636, this work features tales that have inspired many later writers, including the Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault. Basile’s stories blend elements of Neapolitan culture with rich imagery and moral lessons. He is considered a pioneer in the fairy tale genre, using a storytelling framework that combines narratives and dialogues. His contributions significantly influenced the development of European folk literature and the way stories were told for generations.