Let such as opine that the shadow of great personages can conceal the ineptitude of authors, make the most of this advantage.' Believing firmly in astrology, he judged that his own horoscope condemned him to ill-success.

It appears that he was born under the influence of Saturn, when the sun and moon were in conjunction; and he held that this combination of the heavenly bodies boded 'things noteworthy, yet not felicitous.' It was, however, difficult for a man of Tassoni's condition in that state of society to draw breath outside the circle of a Court.
Accordingly, in 1626, he entered the service of the Pope's nephew, Cardinal Lodovisio.

He did not find this much to his liking: 'I may compare myself to P.Emilius Metellus, when he was shod with those elegant boots which pinched his feet.

Everybody said, Oh what fine boots, how well they fit! But the wretch was unable to walk in them.' On the Cardinal's death in 1632 Tassoni removed to the Court of Francesco I.of Modena, and died there in 1635.
As a writer, Tassoni, in common with the best spirits of his time, aimed at innovation.

It had become palpable to the Italians that the Renaissance was over, and that they must break with the traditions of the past.