The Divine ComedyThe Divine Comedy is an epic poem written by Dante Alighieri. It is widely considered the pre-eminent work of Italian literature, and is seen as one of the greatest works of world literature. The poem's imaginative and allegorical vision of the afterlife is a culmination of the medieval world-view as it had developed in the Western Church. It helped establish the Tuscan dialect, in which it is written, as the standardized Italian language. It is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. On the surface, the poem describes Dante's travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven; but at a deeper level, it represents allegorically the soul's journey towards God. At this deeper level, Dante draws on medieval Christian theology and philosophy, especially Thomistic philosophy and the Summa Theologica of Thomas Aquinas. The poem is written in the first person, and tells of Dante's journey through the three realms of the dead, lasting from the night before Good Friday to the Wednesday after Easter in the spring of 1300. The Roman poet Virgil guides him through Hell and Purgatory; Beatrice, Dante's ideal woman, guides him through Heaven. Beatrice was a Florentine woman whom he had met in childhood and admired from afar in the mode of the then-fashionable courtly love tradition. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 64
Page
... sweet nest Fly through the air by their volition borne, So came they from the band where Dido is, Approaching us athwart the air malign, So strong was the affectionate appeal. "O living creature gracious and benignant, Who visiting ...
... sweet nest Fly through the air by their volition borne, So came they from the band where Dido is, Approaching us athwart the air malign, So strong was the affectionate appeal. "O living creature gracious and benignant, Who visiting ...
Page
... sweet sighs, By what and in what manner Love conceded, That you should know your dubious desires?" And she to me: "There is no greater sorrow Than to be mindful of the happy time In misery, and that thy Teacher knows. But, if to ...
... sweet sighs, By what and in what manner Love conceded, That you should know your dubious desires?" And she to me: "There is no greater sorrow Than to be mindful of the happy time In misery, and that thy Teacher knows. But, if to ...
Page
... If Heaven doth sweeten them, or Hell envenom." And he: "They are among the blacker souls; A different sin downweighs them to the bottom; If thou so far descendest, thou canst see them. But when thou art again in the sweet world, I.
... If Heaven doth sweeten them, or Hell envenom." And he: "They are among the blacker souls; A different sin downweighs them to the bottom; If thou so far descendest, thou canst see them. But when thou art again in the sweet world, I.
Page
Dante Alighieri. But when thou art again in the sweet world, I pray thee to the mind of others bring me; No more I tell thee and no more I answer." Then his straightforward eyes he turned askance, Eyed me a little, and then bowed his ...
Dante Alighieri. But when thou art again in the sweet world, I pray thee to the mind of others bring me; No more I tell thee and no more I answer." Then his straightforward eyes he turned askance, Eyed me a little, and then bowed his ...
Page
... sweet air, which by the sun is gladdened, Bearing within ourselves the sluggish reek; Now we are sullen in this sable mire.' This hymn do they keep gurgling in their throats, For with unbroken words they cannot say it." Thus we went ...
... sweet air, which by the sun is gladdened, Bearing within ourselves the sluggish reek; Now we are sullen in this sable mire.' This hymn do they keep gurgling in their throats, For with unbroken words they cannot say it." Thus we went ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
already answered appeared art thou ascend aught Beatrice began behold behoves beneath Bolgia breast canst Canto Chiron Christ circle Cocytus colour coruscation descended desire divine dost thou doth downward e'er earth eternal evermore face father feet fire flame gazing Geryon goeth grace hand hear heard heart heaven holy honour Inferno knowest Lady laments Latian light little flames living lofty look Malebolge Malebranche Master mind mortal mount moved never o'er onward Paradiso passed Phlegyas Pistoia Purgatorio rays round seemed shade Sichaeus side sight singing smile soon Sordello soul speak speech spirit splendour star Statius sweet tell thee thine eyes things thou art thou dost thou hast thou seest thou shalt thou wouldst thyself tow'rds truth turned Tuscan twill twixt unto uplifted upward Virgilius virtue voice weeping wheel Whence Whereat Wherefore wherein wholly wings wont words