DOLCE, LUDOVICO or LUIGI (1508-1568 or 1569), Italian writer, was a native of Venice. He wrote some 7o works, but is remembered chiefly for his Marianna, a tragedy from the life of Herod, which was recast in French by Tristan and by Vol taire, and still keeps a place on the stage. Four licentious comedies, 11 Ragazzo (1541), 11 Capitano (1545), 1l Marito (156o) , 11 Ru f fiano (1 56o), and seven of Seneca's tragedies complete the list of his dramatic efforts.
See A. Salza, Delle commedie di Ludovico Dolce 0899).