Upon their arrival to Albania, an emissary of the kingdom of Crotona requested Albania's assistance in the incoming war against the Persians. Menandro, unwilling to be separated from Florante and allowed by his uncle Antenor, accompanied him on his journey. Two months later, Florante receives 10 carriages along with a second letter from his father telling him to return to Albania. A year later, Florante received a letter from his father, announcing the death of his mother, which caused Florante to faint for two hours from the grief. Adolfo headed home to Albania after his failed attempt. Florante's friend, Menandro, was quick enough to intervene. While performing during a school contest, Adolfo attempted to kill Florante because of his jealousy towards Florante's popularity. After six years of studying Astrology, Philosophy and Mathematics, Florante surpassed Adolfo's capabilities, talents, and intelligence, gaining popularity. There, he met Adolfo, a fellow countryman, the brightest student in their school. While playing in the living room as a child, a falcon attacked him and stole his diamond necklace.Īt 11 years old, his parents, Duke Briseo and Princess Floresca, sent him to Athens, Greece to study under Antenor, a renowned teacher. As a baby, he was almost captured by a vulture that entered in their mountain cottage he was saved by his cousin Menalipo, an archer from Epirus. The son of a princess and a royal adviser, Florante grew up in happiness, showered with love.

each stanza has figures of speech (according to Fernando Monleón, Balagtas used 28 types in 395 instances throughout the poem.).

each stanza is usually a complete, grammatically correct sentence.

a caesura or pause after the sixth syllable.

an assonantal rhyme scheme of AAAA (in the Filipino manner of rhyming described by José Rizal in Tagalische Verskunst).

The story is loosely based on his own biography.įlorante at Laura is written as an awit the word in modern Filipino means 'song', but at that time referred to a standard poetic format with the following characteristics: He dedicated it to his former sweetheart María Asuncion Rivera, whom he nicknamed 'M.A.R.' and is referenced to as 'Selya' in the dedication ' Kay Selya' ('For Celia'). Balagtas wrote the epic during his imprisonment.

It is considered one of the masterpieces of Philippine literature. Florante at Laura (full title: Pinagdaanang Buhay ni Florante at ni Laura sa Kahariang Albanya English: The History of Florante and Laura in the Kingdom of Albania) is an 1838 awit written by Tagalog poet Francisco Balagtas.

Florante at laura kabanata 1 buod