The Divine ComedyDoubleday, Incorporated, 1946 - 475 pages The Divine Comedy describes Dante's descent into Hell with Virgil as a guide; his ascent of Mount Purgatory and encounter with his dead love, Beatrice; and finally, his arrival in Heaven. Examining questions of faith, desire and enlightenment, the poem is a brilliantly nuanced and moving allegory of human redemption. Dante Alighieri was born in Florence in 1265 and belonged to a noble but impoverished family. His life was divided by political duties and poetry, the most of famous of which was inspired by his meeting with Bice Portinari, whom he called Beatrice, including La Vita Nuova and The Divine Comedy. He died in Ravenna in 1321. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
angels answer answer'd beam Beatrice began behold beneath blessed CANTO cause changed Christ circle close cried Dante death descend desire died divine doth e'en earth eternal eyes face fair fall fear feet fell fire flame Florence follow grace hand hast hath head hear heard heart heaven Hell hence holy hope Italy King land leaves less light Line living look mark mind mortal mount mountain moved nature needs o'er once pass replied rest rock round seem'd seen shalt side sight smile song soon soul sound space spake speak spirit stand star steps stood straight stream sweet tell thee thence thine things thou thought truth turn turn'd unto virtue voice wave whence wings wish