Dante Alighieri's long poem follows the narrator through the three realms of the Christian afterlife. Lost in a dark wood, Dante is guided by the Roman poet Virgil through the nine circles of Hell in the Inferno, up the terraces of Mount Purgatory in the Purgatorio, and finally, with Beatrice, through the spheres of Heaven in the Paradiso. Along the way he meets sinners, penitents and saints, many of them historical figures and his own contemporaries, and the structure is carefully built around the number three and the verse form terza rima. Written in the early fourteenth century, it combines theology, politics and love poetry.
It is for readers who want to approach one of the foundations of European literature, whether for study or curiosity. A good translation with notes helps, and the reward is a lasting vision of the afterlife.
Deep, contemplative and open-ended; a demanding read.
Best for readers like The Wisdom Collector. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1996
- Publisher
- Reclam
- ISBN
- 9783150007969
- Language
- DE
Quotes by Dante Alighieri
More →There is no greater sorrow than to recall happiness in times of misery.
The Divine Comedy
In the middle of the journey of our life, I found myself in a dark wood, for the straight way was lost.
The Divine Comedy
