Secretum (book)

Secretum, also known as De secreto conflictu curarum mearum (On the Secret Conflict of My Cares), is an autobiographical Latin work by Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch), written between 1342 and 1353. Presented as a dialogue in three books, it explores Petrarch's inner thoughts and moral dilemmas, making it a pivotal text in understanding the development of humanist thought during the Renaissance.

The Secretum features three characters: Petrarch himself, Saint Augustine as a wise and insightful mentor, and Truth (represented by Augustine). Augustine leads Petrarch through a rigorous self-examination, uncovering his weaknesses and fixations. He identifies Petrarch's loves for Laura and earthly fame as primary obstacles to spiritual peace and true virtue.

The first book focuses on Petrarch's general weaknesses and his susceptibility to earthly desires. The second delves into his attachment to fame, arguing that it distracts him from more important pursuits. The third book confronts his passionate love for Laura, portrayed as both a source of inspiration and a debilitating obsession.

While presented as a dialogue, the Secretum is essentially a profound and intensely personal self-analysis. Petrarch's struggle reflects the broader tensions between medieval scholasticism and the emerging humanist emphasis on classical learning and individual experience. The text reveals a man torn between his Christian faith and his admiration for classical antiquity, between the pursuit of spiritual salvation and the allure of worldly recognition. It stands as a vital document for understanding the complexities of Petrarch's life and thought, and its introspective nature marks a significant departure from earlier autobiographical writings.