Stendhal, born Henri-Marie Beyle, was a 19th-century French writer renowned for his acute psychological analysis of characters. He is recognized as a pioneering figure of literary realism, delving deeply into the inner lives and motivations of his subjects. His work meticulously captures the complex interplay between individual desires and societal constraints. Stendhal's distinct narrative style offers profound insights into the human condition.
In 1818, when Stendhal was in his mid-thirties, he met and fell passionately in love with the beautiful Mathilde Dembowski. She, however, was quick to make it clear that she did not return his affections, and in his despair he turned to the written word to exorcise his love and explain his feelings.