Joachim du Bellay, born around 1522 at the family estate in Liré, Anjou, was a notable figure in French poetry. Raised amidst the fading grandeur of nobility, his early life was marked by the death of his parents and subsequent neglect from his older brother. Despite such adversity, du Bellay's fragile health and solitude led him to the path of poetry, eventually becoming a significant voice in the literary world of France.

Early Life and Family Background

Joachim du Bellay hailed from a distinguished family, known for its contributions to the Roman Catholic Church, military, and diplomatic service. Both his parents, Jean du Bellay and René Chabot, passed away by the time he was merely ten years old. Consequently, his upbringing was left in the hands of his elder brother René, who exhibited little interest in young Joachim’s welfare. The lack of attention and his frail constitution meant that du Bellay often found himself exploring the familial lands in isolation. This solitude nurtured his poetic instincts, steering him away from a potential military vocation due to his health and inherent inclination towards introspection.

Friendship and Literary Pursuits

Du Bellay's life took a turn when he crossed paths with Pierre de Ronsard around 1543, forming a friendship that propelled both poets toward reviving French poetry to match the stature of ancient works. By 1546, du Bellay was entrenched in his studies of law at Poitiers, where he encountered several humanist scholars like Jacques Peletier du Mans, Marc-Antoine Muret, and Jean Salmon Macrin. Peletier, in particular, played a pivotal role in du Bellay's literary journey, as he was actively involved in translating Greek and Latin classics into French and advocating for the French language as a medium for literature. Inspired by these interactions, du Bellay began crafting poetry in both Latin and French, translating Latin works, and experimenting with classical forms such as the ode and the sonnet.

Academic and Poetic Development

Encouraged by Ronsard, du Bellay moved to Paris to pursue further studies at the Collège de Coqueret under the guidance of Jean Dorat. Here, he honed his linguistic skills in Greek, Latin, and Italian, immersing himself in a community of humanist poets including eminent figures like Ronsard, Jean-Antoine de Baïf, Étienne Jodelle, Rémy Belleau, and Peletier. This circle, committed to transforming French poetry and language, called themselves La Brigade. In 1549, du Bellay articulated the group's literary vision through his seminal work, The Defence and Illustration of the French Language. The same year, he published L’Olive, a collection of love sonnets, and crafted a poem celebrating the entrance of Henry II into Paris, which secured him the patronage of Marguerite de Valois, the king’s sister.

Time in Rome and Literary Output

By 1553, La Brigade had adopted a new name, La Pléiade, modeled after a historic group of seven Greek poets. During this period, du Bellay joined his uncle, Cardinal Jean du Bellay, as his secretary in Rome. The Roman years, although fraught with disillusionment and an awareness of the decaying Roman grandeur, were also deeply inspirational for du Bellay's poetry. He befriended fellow poet Olivier de Magny and produced some of his most profound works reflecting his yearning for France, the melancholy over Rome's ruin, and disdain for the corruption he witnessed in the city.

Return to France and Final Years

Upon returning to France in 1557, du Bellay published significant works such as The Regrets, The Antiquities of Rome, and Divers Jeux Rustiques, encapsulating his Roman experiences and literary reflections. However, his health continued to deteriorate, eventually leading to his death on January 1, 1560. Despite his brief life, Joachim du Bellay left an indelible mark on French poetry, remembered for his passionate advocacy for the French language and his ability to meld classical influences with the burgeoning French poetic tradition.