Francesca da Rimini or Francesca da Polenta (died 1285) was the beautiful daughter of Guido da Polenta of Ravenna. Her father arranged her marriage to the notably ugly Giovanni Malatesta of Rimini to reward his bravery in battle. Giovanni’s young brother, Paolo, and Francesca became lovers after being seduced by their reading of the story of Lancelot and Guinevere. They were subsequently surprised and murdered by Giovanni in 1285.
The tale has become a staple of poetic invention including Dante's Divine Comedy and a symphonic poem by Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky.
