Marin Držić (1508 – 1567) was a great Renaissance Croatian poet, playwright, author of political texts and actor born in Dubrovnik. Due to his invaluable literary legacy, Držić is also called “the Croatian Shakespeare”. Truth be told, Marin Držić is the forerunner of Shakespeare, his comedies are among the best in European Renaissance literature. Full of liveliness, his pieces celebrate love, liberty and sincerity, while mocking avarice, egoism and dramatizing the troubles of evil and antisocial characters.
The most famous Držić’s piece is Dundo Maroje, which was also played in international theatres. His great pastoral Grižula, a shepherd play, actually announced the structure of Shakespeare’s famous comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Držić lived in Venice and Florence, died and was buried in Venice, in the Saints John and Paul Basilica.
Marin Držić is one of the most prominent Croatian writers and one of the most important authors of European Renaissance comedy.
Dubrovnik holds a museum The House of Marin Držić where you can learn more about this great personality. One of the avenues in Zagreb, the Croatian capital, bears his name.